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THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 


THE  COLLECTION  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINIANA 


C285 
c.2 


UNIVERSITY  OF  K.C.AJ  CHAPEL  HIU 


00042731570 


This  book  must  not 
be  taken  from  the 
Library  building. 


^  1 


Historical  Sketch 


OF    THE 


PRESBYTERY 


OF 


MECKLENBURG 

From  its  Organization,   October  i6tJu  1869, 
to  October  1  st,  1884; 


WITH 

MAP  OF  ITS  TERRITORY 

Shewing  the  Location  of 

all  its.  Churches,  and  those  of  the  Associate  Reformed 

Church  within  its  Bounds. 


BY 

REV.      WM.      E.      M'cILYVAIX 
1884,      ; 

*  BY  ORDER   OF   THE  PRESBYTERY, 


Charlotte.  X.  C. 
Printed  by  Hirst  Printing  Co. 


^ 


MAP  *"*     i  '*  ^ 

presbyteryofMecklenbukg  *    V^(vV"'vZ  ^WK 

Prepared    by  Prof.  Collier  Cobb  expressly  for  \  <*  J  P%$°      2      L-V-^'V    "" "'       -,     '  ,*' 

•HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  MECKLENBURG  PRESBYTERY"  ^N  |       ^ "X  j^^^/vl''- \  Is     °*  •"    "  ^ 


By  Rev.  W.E.Mc  Ihvain. 


Marion  \  ^^Menry 

SOUTH  i     MOUNTAINS 


Mc/DOVtl 


Historical  Sketch 


OF    THE 


PRESBYTERY 


OF 


MECKLENBURG 

From  its  Organization,   October  16th,  i86g, 
to  October  zsf}  1884; 


WITH 

MAP  OF  ITS  TERRITORY 

Shelving  the  Location  of 

all  its  Churches,  and  those  of  the  Associate  Reformed 

Church  zvithin  its  Bounds, 


BY 

REV.      WM.      E.      McILWAIN, 

1884, 

BY  ORDER   OF   THE  PRESBYTERY, 


Charlotte,  N.  C. 
Printed  by'  Hirst  Printing  Co. 


RESOLUTION. 


"Resolved,  That  the  cordial  thanks  of  this  Presbytery 
be  tendered  the  Rev.  Wm.  E.  Mcllwain  for  his  fidelity 
and  diligence  in  discharging  the  duty  assigned  him  as 
the  Historian  of  the  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg." 

The  above  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Mecklenburg  at  its  late  session  held  at  Sharon  Church, 
Mecklenburg  County,   N.  C,  September  24th,  1884. 


Y 


oV 


CONTENTS. 


> 


CHAPTER  I. 

Page 
|    Organiztion  of  the  Presbytery i 

CHAPTER  II. 
New  Churches  Organized,  and  Missions  Established  ...         4 

CHAPTER  III. 
I    Brief  History  of  Some  of  the  Older  Churches  .....       30 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Revivals  of  Religion  in  the  Church 38 

CHAPTER  V. 

Brief  Biographical  Sketches  of  Young  Men  who  haye 
•     been  or  are  now  under  the  care  of  presbytery  as 
Candidates  for  the  Ministry 50 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Tabular  View  Contrasting  the  Presbytery  in  1869  with 

the  Presbytery  in  1884 63 

CHAPTER  VII" 

Memorials  of  Deceased  Brethren 69 

CHAPTER  VIII. 


P 

General  Statistics  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the 

World 90 

0 


PREFACE. 

The  purpose  of  this  little  volume  is  fourfold: 

(ist)  To  preserve  valuable  historical  data  which  not 
only  may  but  must  soon  be  irrevocably  lost.  The  his- 
tory of  many  old  churches  can  now  never  be  properly 
written,  either  because  no  records  were  kept  or  they 
have  been  lost  or  destroyed. 

(2d)  To  bear  grateful  testimony  to  the  converting, 
saving  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  as  exhibited  in  the 
steady  growth  of  the  Presbytery,  especially  in  numerous 
revivals  of  religion  and  great  ingatherings  of  souls;  and 
to  show  to  those  who  know  us  not  that  we  are  not  op- 
posed to  revivals,  provided  they  are  of  the  right  kind. 

(3d)  To  keep  fresh  the  memory  of  beloved,  Brethren 
of  the  ministry  who  have  finished  their  work  and  gone 
to  their  reward.  I  would  have  as  many  as  possible  to 
know  how  these  brethren  lived,  how  they  labored  and 
how  peacefully  and  triumphantly  they  died. 

(4)  To  enable  Presbyterians  to  know  more  of  their 
own  church— its  history,  its  progress,  its  immense  power, 
and  how  it  is  using  this  power  for  good  the  world  over. 

If  this  book  shall  only  partially  serve  the  author's  pur- 
pose he  will  not  regard  the  labor  or  expense  incurred  in 
its  preparation  and  publication. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH 

OF   THE 

Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg. 

FROM   ITS 

Organization,  Oct.  16th,  1S69,  to  Oct.  1st,  18S4. 


CHAPTER  I. 


ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  PRESBYTERY. 


THE  organization  of  this  Presbvtery  was  effected 
after  favorable  answer  by  the  Synod  of  North  Caro- 
lina to  the  following  overture  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Concord:  "The  Presbytery  of  Concord,  persuaded 
that  the  work  of  the  Lord  would  be  more  efficiently  per- 
formed and  at  the  same  time  much  labor,  time  and 
expense,  saved  by  a  division  of  its  territory,  churches, 
ministers  and  candidates,  most  respectfully  overtures  the 
venerable  Synod  of  North  Carolina  to  set  off  from  the  ter- 
ritory of  the  Presbytery  ol  Concord,  in  order  to  form  a 
bew  Presbytery  to  be  called  the  Presbvtery  of  Mecklen- 
iburg,  the  following  counties,  viz:  Anson,  Union,  and 
'such  part  of  Mecklenburg  as  lies  South  and  West  of  a 
line  beginning  at  Beaties  Ford  on  the  Catawba  River 
land  running  thence  with  the  road  to  Concord  town  un- 
til said  road  meets  the  Cabarrus  County  line,  Lincoln, 
Gaston,  Cleaveland,  Polk,  Rutherford,  Buncombe,  Hen- 


2  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

derson  Transylvania,  Madison,  Haywood,  Jackson, 
Clay,  Macon,  and  Cherokee.  With  the  following  min- 
isters: R.  H.  Merrison,  D.D.;  Robt.  Burwell,  J.  E. 
Morrison,  J.  D.  Hall,  John  Douglas,  Nathan  Shotwell, 
Wm.  N.  Morrison;  R.  H.  Chapman,  D.D.;  Wm. Graves, 
Walter  W.  Pharr,  J.  F.  W.  Freeman.  Thos.  E.  Davis, 
R.  N.  Davis,  J.  C.  Williams,  Jacob  Hood;  A.  W.  Mil- 
ler, D,D.;G.  D.  Parks,  J.  S.  Barr,  R.  Z.  Johnston,  R. 
B.  Anderson,  Wm.  A.  McDonald,  H.  H.  Banks,  J.  J. 
Kennedy;  and  churches  as  follows:  Unity,  Castanea 
Grove,  Providence,  Lebanon,  Goshen,  Steele  Creek, 
Pleasant  Hill,  Little  Brittain,  Shelby,  Sandy  Plains, 
Franklinton,  Davidson's  River,  Mills'  River,  Hender- 
sonville,  Rutherfordton,  Mallard  Creek,  Flat  Branch 
(since  changed  to  Red  Oak),  Olney,  Union,  Lincolnton, 
Long  Creek,  Hopewell,  Ebenezer  (changed  to  Morri- 
son), Charlotte,  Sugar  Creek,  Caldwell  (changed  to 
original  name,  Paw  Creek),  Sharon,  Machpelah,  Phila- 
delphia, Bethlehem,  Asheville,  Swannanoa,  New  Hope, 
Dallas,  Wadesboro,  Bethel,  Hiawassee,  Beulah.  Also 
the  following  candidates:  C.  N.  Hutchinson,  P.  P. 
Maxwell,  Chas.  M.  Douglas,  George  Summey,  J.  H. 
Morrison.  The  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg  will  then 
embrace  17  counties,  38  churches,  23  ministers  and  5 
candidates."  . 

The  report  of  Synod's  committee  on  Bills  and  Over- 
tures, touching  the  above  overture,  is  as  follows  : 

"The  committee  unanimously  recommend — 

1st  That  the  Svnod  of  North  Carolina  do  erect  anew  Presbytery  out 
of  a  portion  of  its' territory,  to  be  styled  the  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg 
with  the  bound  iry,  churches,  ministers  and  candidates  in  accordance  with 
said  overture. 

2d  That  the  Presbvterv  of  Mecklenburg  be  directed  to  meet  for  the 
first  time  in  the  parlor  of  Mrs.  Robt.  Pierson,  in  the  town  of  Morganton, 
N.  C,  this  morning,  October  16th,  1869,  at  iilA  a.  m.,  and  that  Rev.  R. 
H.  Chapman,  D.D.,  preside  as  Moderator. 

This  report  was  adopted,  and  in  accordance  with  the 
action  of  Synod,  the  ministers  and  ruling  elders  inclu- 
ded in  the  territory  set  off  by  the  Presbytery  of  Concord 
with  the  view  of  being  formed  and  constituted  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Mecklenburg,  met  in  the  parlor  of  Mrs.  Robt. 
Pierson,  in  the  town  of  Morganton,  Saturday  the  16th 
of  October,  1869,  at  itj4  a.  m.   Rev.  R.   H.  Chapman, 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  3 

D.D.,  by  appointment  of  Svnod,  called  the  meetino- to 
order  and  opened  the  session  with  praver.     The  Moder- 
ator appointed  Elder  A.   T.  Summev'temporary    clerk 
The  roll  was   called  and   the  following    Ministers    and 
ruling  elders  answered  to  their  names  : 

Ministers— \\T.    \Y.    Pharr,     Robt.    Burwell-    A     W 

?lllier\P'  P-  R-   Z-    J°hnston>    Wm.   A.    McDonald." 
J    F.    W.    Freeman.    R.    N.    Davis,    J.    S.   Barr,    T     T 
Kennedy.  Nathan  Shotwell.    R.    H.    Chapman.    D.D 
W.  N.  Morrison,    H.    H.    Banks.    Wm.    Graves,    Jacob 
iiood.  John  Douglas. 

Ruling  Elders— J.  M.Earnhardt,  of  Mallard  Creek- 
d  o  «S -'  Steele  Creek:  J°hn  R-  Davidson,  Hopewell'- 
R.  S.  White,  Philadelphia;  S.  YV.  Craig.  New  Hope-  \. 
T.  Summey.  Asheville. 

The  Presbytery  being  thus  constituted,  the  first  reg- 
ular meeting  was  held  at  Steele  Creek,  beginning  on 
lnursday.   11  a.  m.,  April  21st,  1870. 

This  Presbytery,  therefore,  has  been  in  existence 
about  15  years,  and  has  made  commendable  progress  in 
all  departments  of  church  work.  Let  us  notice^first  its 
new  organizations  and  mission  stations. 


CHAPTER  II. 


NEW  CHURCHES  ORGANIZED,  AND  MISSIONS 
ESTABLISHED. 


PAPER  MILL- 

THE  first  in  order  of  time  is  Paper  Mill,  near  the  town 
Lincolnton,  which  was  organized  March  16th, 
1873,  by  a  commission  consisting-  of  Rev.  R.  Z.  John- 
ston; R.  H.  Chapman,  D.D.;  and  Wm.  Tiddy,  elder  in 
the  Lincolnton  Church.  Ten  members  were  received — 
1  from  Lincolnton  Church,  4  from  Reformed  Church,  3 
from  Baptist.  1  from  Methodist,  and  2  on  examination. 
The  elders  elected  were  Wm,  Tiddy,  proprietor  of  the 
mills  ;  and  Mr.  Ramsaur,  his  foreman.  For  several 
years  there  was  an  interesting  Sabbath  School,  and  some 
hopeful  signs  of  growth.  But  hopeful  anticipations  have 
not  been  fully  realized.  The  place  did  not  prove  to  be 
a  good  basis  for  an  independent  organization,  and  at  the 
request  of  the  church  the  organization  was  dissolved  by 
Presbytery  at  its  last  spring  session  ('83),  and  its  mem- 
bers transferred  to  the  Lincolnton  Church,  and  made  a 
mission  of  the  same. 

OAK  FOREST  (ORIGINALLY    SAND  HILL). 

This  church  was  organized  in  June,  1873,  from  a  col- 
ony of  the  Asheville  Church.  Its  growth  has  been  slow, 
and  for  at  least  two  reasons:  1st.  Because  of  its  original 
weakness.  2nd.  During  long  intervals  it  has  had  no- 
regular  ministrations  of  the  Word.  Yet,  notwithstand- 
ing these  obstacles  in  the  way  of  its  progress,  this  little 
church  has  made  a  record  for  itself  of  which  it  need 
never  be  ashamed.  With  the  assistance  of  Presbytery 
of  only  $100,  it  has  purchased  a  lot  and  built  a  neat  and 
comfortable  brick  church  at  a  cost  of  at  least  $1000. 
This  church  now  numbers  1 1  members,  has  2  efficient 
elders,  and  its  few  families  are  among  the  most  mterest- 

(4) 


PRESBYTERY   OF   MECKLENBURG.  t 

ing  and  promising  of  those  who  compose  our  member- 
ship in  any  part  of  the  Presbytery. 


MONROE. 


There  was  a   Presbyterian   church  organized  in    the 
town  of  Monroe  as  early  as  1850  or  1855,  by  Rev.  Tins- 
ley  Penick.   This  church  consisted  of  about  12  members, 
and  from  this  number  the  following  were  elected  rulino- 
elders:        D.  F.  Hadin,    Aaron  Stegall,   T.  C.  Wilson! 
and  Mr.  Alexander.     And   strange  to  say,   this  young 
church  so  early  and  so  hopefully  planted  in  a  new  county 
.site,  and  situated  so  near  to  the  county  of  Mecklenburg 
where  Presbyterianism  so  decidedly  predominated,  soon 
perished,  but  from  what  cause  is  not  known  to  the  writer. 
Suffice  it  to  say  that  on  the  26th  of  Sept,  1873,  the  present 
Monroe  church  was  organized  by  Rev.  S.  C.  Alexander. 
Evangelist  of  Presbytery.     Thirteen  members  were  en- 
rolled,   and   Col.    Samuel   H.  Walkup    and  William  H. 
Fitzgerald  were  elected  ruling  elders.     Since  its  organi- 
zation the  Monroe  church  has  been  sadly  bereaved.    On 
26th  of  October,  1876,  Col  Walkup  died,  and  on  22d  of 
April,    1880,   his  widow,   a  most  valuable  member,    was 
•called  to  follow  her  distinguished  husband,   leaving  be- 
hind  her  5    orphaned  daughters.     Any  church  at   anv 
time  must  tee]  deeply  the  loss  of  two  such  intelligent 
zealous,   devoted  members,   as  Col.  and  Mrs.  Walkup; 
how  much  more  the  struggling  little  church  of  Monroe, 
for  the  welfare  of  which  they  were  always  so  solicitous. 
But  the  second  organization  in  Monroe  has  not  perished, 
notwithstanding  its  painful  losses.     So  far  from  this,    it 
has  steadily  grown,  until  now  it  must  be  regarded  as  one 
■of  the  permanent  organizations  of  the  Presbytery.     In 
proof  of  this,  the  congregation,  being  without  a  house  of 
worship,  purchased  the  building  formerly   occupied  by 
the  Methodists,  for  $1,300,  and  have  since  repaired,  re- 
modeled,  painted  and  refurnished  this  building  at   an 
•additional  cost  of  at  least  $1, 100,  making  the  whole  cost  . 
■of  church  property  more  than   $2,400,  of  which    sum 
Presbytery  contributed  about  one-fourth.      It  is  simply 
just  to  say  that  this  church  now  vastly  improved,  both 
as   to  appearance  and  comfort,    centrally  located    in  a 


6  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

grove  of  native  oaks,  is  one  of  the  most  inviting  of  all 
the  new  church  buildings  of  Presbytery;  and  in  the  n 
years  ol  its  history  this  little  church  of  13  members  has- 
grown  to  80,  is  now  fully  organized  with  3  ruling  elders 
and  2  deacons,  has  a  Sabbath-school  of  60  pupils,  and 
contributed  for  all  objects,  in  1883,  the  sum  of  $354. 
Rev.  Robt.  A.  Miller,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Wilmington,, 
was  the  first  pastor  of  this  church,  and  under  his  faith- 
ful and  efficient  labors  the  church  grew  from  20  mem- 
bers in  1877  to  80  members  in  Dec,  1883,  when  the 
pastoral  relation  was  reluctantly  severed  on  account  of 
the  enfeebled  health  of  the  pastor. 

WADESBORO. 

Among  the  churches  of  Concord  Presbytery,  from 
which  the  Presbytery  ot  Mecklenburg  was  formed,  we 
find  the  name  of  Wadesboro — a  name  and  only  a  na?ne. 
From  this  the  writer  infers  that  there  was  a  Presbyterian 
church  in  Wadesboro  before  the  present  one  was  organ- 
ized, but  by  whom  organized,  or  how,  or  when  it  came 
to  its  untimely  death,  the  writer  has  not  been  able  to  de- 
termine. As  to  the  present  church  there  is  no  doubt  as 
to  its  being  organized  by  Rev.  S.  C.  Alexander,  the 
evangelist,  September  14th,  1873,  and  consisted  origin- 
allv  of  only  7  members — 2  males  and  5  females.  Dr. 
Wilson  C.  Ramsay  and  Capt.  John  C.  McLaughlin  were 
elected  and  ordained  ruling  elders.  Under  the  lead  of 
our  ever  zealous  and  untiring  evangelist  the  Wadesboro 
church  determined  to  secure  a  suitable  house  of  worship. 
A  lot  oh  one  of  the  main  streets  was  purchased  and  on 
it  an  attractive  and  very  neat  frame  building  was  erected 
and  handsomely  finished  in  the  month  of  August,  1876, 
at  a  cost  of  near  $2,000.  This  church  has  also  sustained 
some  severe  losses,  but  despite  these  it  has  made  real 
progress.  In  January,  1877,  Dr.  Ramsay  was  transfer- 
red to  the  Monroe  church,  and  in  the  March  following, 
Messrs.  M.  A.  Murr  and  H.  H.  McKeithan  were  elected 
and  installed  ruling  elders.  Rev.  S.  C.  Alexander  con- 
tinued to  serve  this  church  until  April  1st,  1877.  From 
June  1st,  1877  to  Jan.  1st,  1878,  it  was  supplied  by  Mr. 
'Donald  McQueen,   a  licentiate  of  Harmony  Presbytery. 


PRESBYTERY   OF   MECKLENBURG.  7 

On  the  30th  of  March,  1878,  Rev.  Robt.  A.  Miller  was 
elected  pastor;  a  call  was  tendered  him  for  one-half  his 
time,  which  was  accepted  April  22d,  1878,  and  he  was 
duly  installed  pastor  June  8th,  1878.  This  little  band, 
iormerly  of 7  members,  has  grown  to  37,  has  25  pupils 
regularly  at  sabbath-school,  and  contributed  last  year  the 
sum  of  $283  for  all  objects. 

SECOND  CHURCH,  CHARLOTTE. 

The  2d  Presbyterian  church,   Charlotte,   N.   C,    was 
organized  by  a  commission  appointed  by  Mecklenburg 
Presbytery  at  the  Fall  session   of  1873.     The  commis- 
sion, which  consisted  of  Rev.  A.  W.  Miller,  D.D. ;  Rev. 
G.  D.  Parks;  Rev.  R.   H.  Chapman,  D.D;  with  Ruling 
Elders  Dr.   E.   Nye  Hutchison  and  Dr.  F.   Scarr,    met 
October    14th,    1873,   in    the    1st    Presbyterian   church, 
and    organized    by    electing    Dr.    F.   Scarr,     secretary. 
Members  were  received  at   several  subsequent  meetings 
of  the  commission,  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  members  (31 
in  number)  and  the  commission,    held  in   the  basement 
of  the   1st  church,   Nov.  18th,  1873,  the  2d  church  was 
duly  organized  by  the  election  of  R.  I.  McDowell,  J.  B. 
Rankin  and  J.  I5.  Alexander,   ruling  elders;    and  John 
W.  Sample  and  J.   F.   Davidson,   deacons.     These  offi- 
cers were    ordained  and    installed    after  a   suitable    dis- 
course by  Rev.    Dr.   A.  W.   Miller,   in  the  1st  church. 
Sabbath  evening,   Nov.  30th,  1873.     The  congregation, 
which  at  that  time  worshipped  in  the  Court  House,  was 
ministered  to  chiefly  by  Rev.  Wm.  S.  Plummer,  D.  D., 
of  Columbia,   S.  C,  until  1st  of  Oct.,    1874,  when  Rev! 
;E.  H.  Harding,  D.D.,  who  had  been  previously  called 
I  to  the  pastorate,   entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  office. 
1  Gen    Rums  Barringer,   Gen.   R.    D.   Johnston    and  A. 
;  Shorter  Caldwell  were  subsequently  elected  elders,  and 
!  Jas.  F.  Johnston,   A.  G.  Brenizer,  R.  B.  Alexander  and 
IJohn  E.  Oates,    deacons.     This  church  has  made  such 
;  decided   progress  that  it  is   to-day  more  than  twice   as 
large  as  any  other  of  our  new  churches  and  by  far  the 
ablest  financially.    The  original  membership,  31  in  num- 
ber,   has  grown   to  300,   thus    making  the   largest   net 
gain  of  any  church  in  Presbytery,   either  old  or  new,  in 


8  HISTORICAL    SKETCH  OF  THE 

the    same    length   of  time.     The    Sabbath-school    has 
reached  the  very    encouraging  number  of  150  pupils, 
which  makes   it '3d  in   the   Presbytery  in  this   respect, 
being  surpassed  by  only  two  churches  in  the  Presbytery, 
viz:     1  st  church,  Charlotte;  and  Steele  Creek.     Its  con- 
tributions, too,  have  steadily  increased,  so  that  last  year 
the  Assembly's  minutes  give  it  credit  for  $6,048,  which 
is  the  largest  sum  reported  by  any  church  in  Presbytery 
except  1st  church,   Charlotte.     And  in    addition  to  this 
great  gain  in  membership,  in  Sabbath-school  attendance 
and  in  contributions,   there  has  been  a  decided  gain  to 
the  Presbytery  in  church  property.        During  1874  and 
1875  this  congregation  was  busily  engaged  in  building  a 
house  of  worship,  which  with  the  lot  on  which  it  stands 
and  all  improvements  up  to  date  has  cost  about  $13,000. 
Liberal  contributions  from  members  of  the    1st  church 
have  materially  aided  in  this  enterprise.     This  building, 
conveniently  located  on  Tryon  Street,  near  Sixth,  is  of 
brick,  dimensions  60x60,  and  will  comfortably  seat   900 
or  1,000  persons.     It  is  now  completed,    and  although 
somewhat  novel  in  its  interior  arrangement  with  circular 
seats  rising  one  above  another  from  near  the  pulpit   to  [ 
the  rear  wall,  it  furnishes  one  of  the  largest,  most  con- 
venient,   and  attractive  audience  rooms  in   the    State. 
Dr.  Harding  continued  to  supply  this  church  'till  the 
Fall  of  1 88 1,  when  the  original  membership  of  31  had 
increased   to   133.     In   November,    1881,    Dr.    Harding 
having  resigned,   a  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  Neander 
M.  Woods,  of  Galveston,  Texas,  who  accepted  and  be- 
gan   his  labors  early  in  Jan.,    1882.     He  was    installed 
pastor,  Sabbath,   May  28th,  1882,  by  Drs.  Miller,  Latti- 
mer  and  Parks,   and  has    been    greatly  blessed  in    his 
labors.     This  is  shown  not  only  by  the  successful  com- 1 
pletion  of  the  new  building,  the  growth  of  contributions 
to  all  objects  from  $3000  in  1881  to  $6000  in  1884,  but, 
in  the  increase  of  membership  from  133  in  1882  to  3001 
in  1884,  a  net  gain  of  167  in  less  than  2%  years.    Surely 
the  wisdom   of  organizing  a  2d  Presbyterian   church  in 
Charlotte  is  not  now  to  be  questioned.    In  1870  there  was! 
one  church  with  260  members,  now  there  are  two  churches 
with  697  members,  a   gain  in    14  years  of  437  members. 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  9 

WAYNESVILLE. 

In  examining  the  records  of  this  church  I  found  the 
following  brief  history  of  its  organization  in  the  hand- 
writing of  our  greatly  beloved  and  much  lamented 
brother,  Alfred  J.  Morrison:  "The  Presbyterian  church, 
of  Waynesville,  was  organized  by  Rev.  Alfred  J.  Morri- 
son, Evangelist  of  Mecklenburg  Presbytery,  assisted  by 
Rev.  D.  T.  Towles,  on  the  27th  day  of  November,  1875. 
James  Parks  and  Jeremiah  Radcliff  were  elected  ruling 
elders,  Mr.  Parks  having  been  ordained  an  elder  before 
in  the  Providence  church,  was  installed  on  officer  in  this 
church,  and  Mr.  Radcliff  was  ordained  by  the  Evan- 
gelist and  then  installed.  The  following  persons  were 
enrolled  as  members  of  the  church:  James  Parks,  Jere- 
miah Radcliff,  Mrs.  Ruth  M.  Owensby,  Mrs.  Harriet  E. 
Francis,  Mrs.  Helen  Brown,  Mrs.  E.  M.  Wallace,  Capt. 
Julius  F.  Allison,  and  wife    Mrs.  M.  F.  Allison. 

It  is  still  a  day  of  small  things  with  this  young  church, 
but  evidently  a  day  not  to  be  despised.  _  With  very  little 
attention  on  the  part  of  Presbytery  this  little  band  of  8 
members  grew  to  23,  and  these  with  the  help  of  gener- 
ous friends  throughout  the  State,  erected  a  church  build- 
ing on  a  lot  presented  the  congregation  by  Col.  R.  G. 
A.  Love,  deceased.  This  building  was  planned  by  Mr. 
E.  M.  Clayton,  was  completed  in  1882,  was  dedicated 
to  the  worship  of  God  in  June  of  the  same  year,  by  Rev. 
A.  W.  Miller,  D.D.;  and  with  its  furniture  has  cost 
about  $2, 100.  In  1883  a  lot  adjoining  the  church  was 
purchased  and  a  manse  built  thereon,  which  when  com- 
pleted according  to  the  original  design,  will  have  cost 
Shoo  or  $1200.  But  death  has  made  sad  inroads  upon 
this  little  flock.  On  October  27th,  1880,  Jeremiah  Rad- 
cliff, a  devoted  Presbyterian  and  most  valuable  ruling 
elder,  died.  He  was  cut  down  in  the  very  prime  of  life, 
and  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness,  but  not  before  he  had 
done  much  to  plant  his  church  in  the  county  of  Hay- 
wood, where  he  was  so  well  known  and  where  he  had  so 
long  and  so  acceptably  served  as  clerk  of  the  Superior 
Court.  On  the  nth  of  August,  1883,  the  following  ad- 
ditional elders  were  elected  and  installed:  Wm.  H. 
Faucett.  D.  M.  Killian,  Dr.  H.  L.  McFayden.     Rev.  D. 


IO  HISTORICAL    SKETCH  OF  THE 

T.  Towles  continued  to  serve  this  congregation,  preach- 
ing in  the  Methodist  Church  until  the  year  1882,  when 
it  was  placed  in  charge  of  Rev.  Wm.  E.  Mcllwaine, 
Evangelist  of  Presbytery. 

PINEVILLE. 

The  commission,  consisting  of  Rev.  R.  H.  Chapman, 
D.D.;  and  Eider  Col.  J.  B.  Rankin,  appointed  by  Pres- 
bytery to  organize  a  church  in  the  village  of  Pineville, 
Mecklenburg  County  North  Carolina,  met  at  the  residence 
of  John  G.  Potts,  Esq.,  on    the  3rd  of  December,  1875, 
was  constituted  with   prayer  by   Dr.  Chapman,  and  Col'. 
Rankin   appointed  <  secretary.     For   sufficient   reasons, 
however,  the  organization  was  not  effected  until  Decem- 
ber   1 6th,    when    members    were    received   from    other 
churches    as    follows:  Sharon,    7;    Steele  Creek,    3;  1st 
Church,    Charlotte,    1;    Unity,  S.  C,  2;    Providence,  1"; 
Harrison  (M.  E.  Church),  1;  Marion,  N.  C,  (M.  E),  1; 
Lutheran.  1 ;  and  four   were   received    on    examination, 
thus  making  in  all   twenty  members.     The  following  of- 
ficers were  then  elected:  JohnG.  Potts,  Joseph  L.  Weeks, 
and  J.  S.  P.  Caldwell,    elders;  Jno.  D.  Culp,  A.  C.  Wil- 
liams, and  J.  W.  Morrow,   deacons.     These  officers  were 
duly  ordained  and  installed  on  the  following  Sabbath. 
Mr.    John    W.    Morrow  has  since   been  elected  to  the 
eldership,   and    Mr.   Sam'l.   W.   Smith  to    the  office  of 
deacon.     Time  has  clearly  proven  the  wisdom   of  Pres- 
bytery in  granting  this  organization.     It  is  located  in  a 
village  on  the  Charlotte,   Columbia  &  Augusta  R.  R., 
ten  miles  from  the  city  of  Charlotte;  and  although  this 
village  was  full  thirty  years  old,   it  never  had  a  church 
within  its  limits  until  this  one  was  organized.      It  is  sur- 
rounded by  an  excellent  farming  country,  and  has  access- 
to  an  intelligent,   enterprising  and  law-abiding  popula- 
tion, the  great  majority  of  whom  are  in  full  sympathy  with 
Presbyterian  doctrine,  polity,  and  usage.     This  new  or- 
ganization, located  as  it  is  in  a  region,  at  that  time,  com- 
paratively destitute  of  church  privileges,  has  happily  met 
a  want  long  and  painfully  felt.     In  proof  of  this'  we  note 
with  pleasure  the  number  of  heads  of  families  receiving 
baptism  and  being  admited  into  this  church  at  its  organi- 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  II 

zation.  And  such  an  institution,  established  among  a 
people  so  much  in  need  of  it,  and  so  well  prepared  to  re- 
cei\-e  it,  we  would  naturally  expect  to  prosper;  and  in 
this  we  have  not  been  disappointed.  The  original  mem- 
bership of  twenty  has  increased  to  eighty.  Since  the 
organization  eighty  members  have  been  received — twen- 
ty-three by  certificate,  and  fifty-seven  by  examination. 
The  Sabbath-school  has  an  average  attendance  of  fifty 
pupils,  and  contributed  last  year  350;  and  the  church  for 
all  purposes  contributed  $667.  The  new  brick  building, 
neatly  finished  and  furnished,  at  a  cost  of  more  than 
$2,000,  has  been  paid  for;  and  a  career  of  constantly  in- 
creasing growth  and  usefulness  seems  to  be  before  this 
young  and  flourishing  church.  Rev.  G.  S.  Robinson 
became  its  pastor  very  soon  after  its  organization,  and 
still  faithfully  serves  it. 


MATTHEWS. 

This  church,  situated  in  Mecklenburg  Countv,  on  the 
Carolina  Central  R.  R.,  about  midway  between  Charlotte 
and  Monroe,  was  organized  February  10th,  1877,  by  a 
commission  of  Presbvterv  consisting  of  Rev.  R.  "  H. 
Chapman,  D.D.;  E.  H.  Harding,  D.D. ;  Wm.  A.  Mc- 
Donald; Wm.  H.  Davis;  G.  S.  Robinson;  with  Elders  J. 
S.  Reid  and  R.  R.  King.  Members  were  received  from 
other  churches  as  follows :  1st  church,  Charlotte,  1;  M. 
E.  church,  2;  Providence,  11;  Philadelphia,  18;  thus 
making  a  total  of  33.  The  following  officers  were  then 
elected,  viz:  J.  W.  Yandle  and  J.  M.  Byron,  elders; 
D.  C.  Robeson  and  E.  A.  McLeod,  deacons.  Mr.  Yan- 
dle having  declined  to  accept  the  office  of  elder,  Messrs. 
Byron,  Robeson  and  McLeod  were  ordained  and  installed 
on  the  following  Sabbath.  Subsequently  Messrs.  J.  S. 
Reid  and  A.  G.  Reid  were  installed  elders,  and  D.  C. 
Shaw,  deacon.  This  Church,  also,  has  not  been  idle. 
With  very  little  assistance  from  abroad,  save  $100  con- 
tributed by  Presbytery,  the  congregation  has  purchased 
a  very  suitable  lot,  and  on  it  has  erected  a  very  neat, 
I  commodious  and  substantial  frame  building,  at  a  cost  of 
about  $800.  Many  of  the  members  of  this  church  being 
possessed  of  but  limited  means,   the  congregation  was 


12  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

heavily  tasked  to  bear  this  expense,  and  was  compelled  to 
mortgage  the  building  in  order  to  complete  it;  but  at 
length  they  were  happily  relieved  of  this  burden,  and  are 
now  free  of  debt.  The  growth  of  this  church  has  also  been 
decidedly  encouraging.  The  original  membership  of  33 
has  grown  to  81.  Since  the  organization  there  have  been 
received  into  this  church  by  certificate  17  members,  and 
by  examination  44.  Rev.  Wm.  A.  McDonald,  served 
this  church  from  its  organization  until  December  1881; 
and  Rev.  R.  A.  Miller  during  the  years  of  1882  and 
1883. 

HUNTERSVILLE. 

The  commission  appointed  by  Presbytery  at  its  fall 
session  in  Asheville,  consisting  of  Revs.  W.  W.  Pharr, 
G.  D.  Parks,  W.  E.  Mcllwain,  and  Elders  H.  M.  Dixon 
and  John  W.  Moore,  met  at  the  residence  of  Dr.  H.  J. 
Walker  in  the  village  of  Huntersville,  Mecklenburg  Co., 
N.  C,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  Presbyterian 
church;  but  finding  that  the  execution  of  their  purpose 
would  seriously  conflict  with  religious  services  then  in 
progress  in  the  Associate  Reform  Church,  the  commis- 
sion adjourned  to  meet  the  Academy  at  11  a.  m.,  Nov. 
2nd,  1878.  There  were  present  at  this  meeting  Revs. 
\Y.  W.  Pharr,  W.  E.  Mcllwain,  and  Elder  J.  W. 
Moore.  This  commission,  as  before  constituted,  met  at 
the  time  and  place  appointed.  The  names  of  persons 
desiring  to  connect  themselves  with  the  new  organization 
were  called  for,  and  members  were  received  from  churches 
as  follows:  Ramah,  44;  Hopewell,  2.  After  this  the  fol- 
lowing officers  were  elected:  J.  H.  McClintock,  W.  A. 
Sosserman,  and  John  F.  Brown,  elders;  J.  M.  Gibbs 
and  J.  F.  Woodsides,  deacons.  Subsequently,  W.  D. 
Alexander,  formerly  a  deacon  in  Hopewell  Church,  was 
elected  to  the  same  office  in  this  church.  As  to  the  pro- 
priety of  organizing  this  church,  some  doubted.  It  was 
feared  that  such  an  organization  would  seriously  injure 
Hopewell  Church,  and  perhaps  ruin  Ramah  Church. 
But  it  has  done  neither.  The  new  church  has  grown,  as 
was  confidently  expected;  but  not  upon  the  ruins  of 
other  churches.     So  far  from  this,    Hopewell  Church  is 


PRESBYTERY    OF   MECKLENBURG.  1 3 

stronger  by  50  or  100  members  than  when  this  church 
was  organized;  and  Ramah,  though  somewhat  reduced 
in  numbers,  has  made  a  greater  exhibition  of  energy,  en- 
terprise and  self-sacrifice  since  this  organization  than  for 
many  years  previous.  On  the  whole,  Huntersville  is  one 
of  the  most  interesting  and  promising  of  the  new  churches 
of  Presbytery.  It  is  located  in  a  densely  populated  com- 
munity, where  Presbyterian  families  largely  predominate; 
has  a  well  conducted  Sabbath  School,  now  numbering 
more  than  70  pupils;  a  prayer  meeting,  sustained  by  the 
elders  in  the  pastors  absence;  whilst  the  original  mem- 
bership has  increased  from  46  to  1 20.  And  it  is  more 
than  probable  that  a  more  commendable  exhibition  of 
hearty  co-operation,  liberality  and  perserving  energy 
has  nowhere  been  witnessed  than  among  this  people  in 
building  their  church.  In  less  than  two  years  after  they 
were  organized,  their  building  was  complete.  And  it  is 
no  mean  structure.  Well  lighted  and  seated  and  neatly 
finished  by  ceiling  the  over-head,  plastering  the  walls, 
and  painting  the  outside,  it  is  indeed,  both  attractive  and 
comfortable.  Situated  on  a  slight  eminence  in  a  grove 
of  native  forest-trees,  it  commands  a  good  view  both  of 
the  public  highway  leading  from  Charlotte  to  Statesville 
and  the  A-  T.  &.  O.  R.  R.  This  building,  60x40  feet, 
will  furnish  sittings  for  at  least  300,  and  cost  about  $1,800. 
For  the  success  of  the  church  in  this  enterprise  much 
is  due  to  the  energy,  liberality,  and  wise  leadership  of 
Rev.  J.  F.  Latimer,  then  Professor  at  Davidson  College, 
near  by ;  but  now  Professor  in  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary, Virginia.  Professor  Latimer  began  to  serve  this 
church  and  Ramah  immediately  after  the  organization  of 
Huntersville,  November,  1878;  and  continued  his  ser- 
vices here  until  the  fall  of  1882,  with  the  following  visible 
results;  The  membership  of  Ramah  increased  from  125 
to  150,  and  that  of  Huntersville  from  58  to  100,  thus 
making  a  net  gain  of  67  members  in  four  vears.  In  ad- 
dition to  this,  the  Ramah  church  tore  down  and  removed 
their  old  unsightly,  uncomfortable  building,  and  built  in 
its  stead  a  large  and  handsome  new  church  at  a  cost  of 
Si, 500,  thus  increasing  the  value  of  the  church:property 
in  these  two  churches  bv  more  than  $3,000.   Rev.  A.  M. 


14  HISTORICAL  SHETCH  OF  THE 

Watson,  of  Orange  Presbytery,  was  elected  pastor  of 
these  two  churches,  and  began  his  labors  with  them, 
January  ist,  1883.  Since  then,  a  beautiful  lot  of  two 
acres,  adjoining  the  Huntersville  church  lot,  and  front- 
ing the  public  high  way  and  A.  T.  &.  O-  R.  R-,  has  been 
purchased  for  a  manse,  and  improved,  at  a  cost  of  more 
than  $500.  And  during  the  year  1883,  45  members  were 
added  to  this  charge,  as  follows:  toRamah,  10;  Hunters- 
ville, 35.  The  Huntersville  church  is  now  next  to  the 
largest  of  our  new  churches ;  and  from  the  unusual  num- 
ber of  young  people  belonging  to  the  congregation,  the 
large  congregations  which  fill  the  new  church  almost 
every  sabbath,  and  the  disposition  on  the  part  of  the 
children  to  unite  with  the  church,  we  may  confidently 
expect  it  to  take  rank  among  the  strongest  and  most  in- 
fluential churches  of  Presbytery  at  no  very  distant  day. 


CHARLESTON. 

This  church  is  located  in  Charleston,  the  county  site 
of  Swain  county,  and  was  organized  by  the  Evangelist, 
Rev.  M.  R.  Kirkpatrick,  Sept.  21st,  1881.  It  consisted 
originally  of  9  members,  and  from  this  number  the  fol- 
lowing were  elected  officers:  Col.  T.  D.  Bryson  and 
Dr.  E.  M.  Scruggs,  elders;  and  J.  Hill  and  L.  Potts, 
deacons.  This  church  has  not  been  regularly  supplied 
since  the  retirement  of  the  evangelist  in  the  Fall  of  188 1, 
and  therefore  has  not  made  the  progress  it  doubtless 
otherwise  would  have  done.  Rev.  A.  W.  Miller,  D.D., 
visited  the  church  in  the  Summer  of  1883,  and  received 
5  additional  members  on  profession  of  faith.  A  lot  has 
been  donated  the  congregation,  but  no  church  building 
has  been  erected.  In  fact,  there  is  no  church  building 
in  the  place.  The  Methodists,  Baptists,  and  Presby- 
terians, each  use  the  Court  House  for  their  religious 
services.  The  village  of  Charleston  is  soon  to  be  made 
more  accessible  by  the  extension  of  the  Western  North 
Carolina  Railroad;  and  this  will,  no  doubt,  result  in  the 
more  regular  and  frequent  supply  of  the  church  and  the 
erection  of  a  church  building  at  no  distant  day. 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG..  15 


AMITY 


(    The  origin  and  growth  of  this   chureh  is  Only  another 
illustration  ol  what  faithful,  energetic  pastors  can  do  bv 
utilizing  week  days  and  Sabbath  evenings  in  evangelistic 
labors.      Here  was    a    locality  in    Mecklenburg  county, 
the  banner  Presbyterian  county  in  the  State,  where  there 
was  a  great  want  of  church    privileges.     It  was  5    miles 
to  Sugar  Creek,  7  miles  to  Sharon,  and  9  miles  to  Phil- 
adelphia.    This    being  the   case,    many  of  the   families 
residing    here   rarely   if    ever  attended  a    Presbyterian 
church;    and   no    other  denomination   oi   Christians  was 
supplying   this    destitution.     Rev.    G.  D.    Parks,    then 
pastor  ot  Sugar  Creek,  realizing  the  situation,  organized 
a  Sabbath-school  here  some  six  years  ago,  and  preached 
occasionally  on  Sabbath  evenings.     The  Sabbath-school 
and  congregation  continuing  to  grow  in  numbers  and  in 
interest,  preparatory  steps  were  taken  early  in  1882  for 
the  organization  of  a  church  and  the  erection  ol  a  small 
frame  building.     A  petition  being  laid  before  Presbytery 
for  an  organization,  it  was  granted,  and  the  organization 
was  eftected  June  17th,  1S82,  by  a  commission  consisting 
of  Revs.  G.  D.  Parks,  Wm.  A.  McDonald,  D.  P    Rob- 
mson,  with  Elders  J.  M    Davis,  J.  P.  Alexander,  and  R. 
R.     King.     There    were    enrolled    38  members,    from 
churches    as  follows:     Steel  Creek,  1;   Philadelphia     i- 
Matthews,    1;    Sugar   Creek,  7;    Methodist   Church,   §; 
Sharon,  13;  and  7  on  examination.     In  the  election  of 
officers,  Cyrus  H.  Wolfe,  J.  Lee  Campbell,  and  S.  W 
Alexander  were  chosen     elders;    and  Peter  C.  Harkey 
and    William  McCall,     deacons.      All  these  were   from 
Sharon  Church,  except  J.  Lee  Campbell,  who  was  from 
the  Methodist  Church.      Rev.  G.  D.   Parks  served  this 
congregation  to  the  time  of  its  organization;  and  at  this 
writing  (Oct.  '84)  continues  to  serve  it  with  great  zeal 
and  acceptance.     Under  his  ministry  it  has  grown  stead- 
ily.    The  small   house  originally  built  was  soon   found 
altogether  inadequate  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  con- 
stantly increasing  congregation.     A  much  larger  house 
was  determined  upon,  and  will  be  occupied  before  these 
lines  are  given  to  the  printer.     This  building  is  of  wood, 
55x40.  and  when  fully  completed  will  have  cost  $700  or 


j6  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

$800.     The  Sabbath-school,  always  interesting,  has  now 
reached  an  average  attendance  of  about   50   pupils.     A 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  been  organized,  and  has  raised 
to  date  more  than  $100,  whilst  the  original  membership 
of  the  church  has  grown  from  38  to  about  60,  with   the 
prospect  of  immediate  and  steady  growth  for  years   to 
come.     In  concluding  this    historical    sketch,  I  feel  dis- 
posed to  ask  why  there  is  not  more  of  such  work  done 
by  pastors.     Are  there  not  just  such  fields  within    the 
reach  of  almost  all  of  our  long   established   churches  ? 
Can  this  work  be  done  bv   any  evangelist  so  cheaply  as 
by  neighboring   pastors  ?     Can  any    evangelist   do  this 
work  more  efficiently  than  our  experienced,   judicious 
pastors  ?     What  would  be— yea,  what  must  be  the  happy 
result  if  every   session  in   our    Presbytery,    Synod   and 
General  Assembly  thus  had    its  prosperous    mission    or 
missions  growing  up  around   the    older   organizations  ? 
There  would  then  be  about  50  missions  in  this  Presby- 
tery—more than  200  in  the  Synod— and  more  than  2000 
in  the  General  Assembly.     I  know  that  I  am  not  writing 
History  now;  but  I  feel  confident,  if  this  plan  was  heart- 
ily adopted  in  country  and  village  and  city,    I    would 
soon  have  a   grand  history  of  our  dear    old  church  to 
write.     And  why  not?     Dear  brethren,    are   there   no 
destitutions  in  the  city  or   country  within   your   reach . 
If  there  is  not,  then  you  are  strangely  and  unfortunately 
situated.     If  there  are,  can  you  say  that  you  are  "watch - 
ino-  for  souls  as  they  that  must  give  account,  that   they 
must  do  it  with  joy  and  not  with  grief."        If  we  sit  idly 
at  home  when  we  might  be  filling  our  hands  and  hearts 
with  this  mission  work  in  the  dark  places  of  the  earth,  may 
we  not  one  day  hear  these  fearful  words  :      "What  hast 
thou  done?     The  voice  of  thy  brother's  blood cneth  unto 
me  from  the  ground." 

GASTONIA. 

This  church,  located  in  Gaston  county,  in  the  village 
of  Gastonia,  at  the  junction  of  the  Air  Line  and  Chester 
&  Lenoir  Railroads,  was  organized  July  16th,  1882,  by 
a  commission  consisting  of  Revs.   F.  L.  Leeper,  G.  L 
Cook,    J.   J.    Kennedy,   with  Elder  J.  Q.   Holland,    of 


PRESBYTERY  OF  MECKLENBURG.  1 7 

Olney  church.  There  were  26  members  received,  most 
of  them  from  Olney  and  Union  churches,  with  a  few  from 
Long  Creek  in  North  Carolina  and  Bethel  in  South 
•Carolina.  J.  H.  Craig  (elder  in  Union  Church),  and  J.O. 
Holland,  A.  M.  Smver,  and  B-  G.  Bradley,  were  elected 
elders;  and  Dr.  R.  H.  Adams,  Robt.  Bell  and  Wm. 
Bradlev,  deacons.  This  has  proven  to  be  a  working- 
church.  Very  soon  after  the  organization  a  church 
building  was  determined'  upon.  The  heirs  of  Joseph 
Bradlev,  deceased,  presented  the  congregation  with  a 
part  of  a  lot,  and  the  remainder  was  purchased  for  $50. 
In  the  Fall  of  18S2  the  work  of  building  was  begun,  and 
was  completed  in  the  Summer  of  18S3.  This  building 
of  brick,  35x50,  with  seating  capacity  of  about  400,  cost 
the  sum  of  $1 ,500.  The  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg  met  in 
this  new  church  during  its  Fall  sessions  of  1883,  when 
all  were  agreeably  surprised  at  the  good  taste,  energy 
and  liberality,  displayed  by  the  little  church  of  Gastonia 
in  the  construction  of  its  first  house  of  worship.  This  is 
:a  growing  town,  and  a  growing  church.  Being  the  only 
church  in  the  village,  which  has  a  population  of  about 
500,  good  congregations  are  constantly  in  attendance. 
"The  Sabbath-school  now  numbers  about  75  pupils,  and 
the  original  membership  of  26  has  grown  to  61.  The 
citizens  of  Gastonia  have  built  a  large  academy,  where 
Prof.  J.  A.  Boyd  (a  graduate  of  Davidson  College)  and 
his  assistants  are  successfully  conducting  a  high  school 
with  an  average  attendance  of  about  75  pupils. 

POLKTON 

Is  situated  on  the  C.  C.  Railroad,  about  midway  be- 
tween Monroe  and  Wadesboro,  in  Anson  county,  and 
was  organized  June  15th,  1883,  by  a  commission  con- 
sisting of  Revs.  G.  D.  Parks,  A.  G.  Buckner,  R.  A. 
Miller,  and  J.  E.  Morrison,  with  Elders  J.  E.  McLaugh- 
lin, of  Wadesboro.  and  T.  W.  Morrison,  of  Lebanon 
•church.  The  following  persons  were  enrolled:  Dr.  F. 
O.  Hawlev  and  wife  and  Miss  Colin  F.  Moore,  from 
Wadesboro  church;  A.  S.  Morrison,  Center  church, 
Robeson  county;  and  Mrs.  M.  A.  Austin,  Shoe  Heel, 
.Robeson  county,  N.   C.     Dr.   Hawley  and  A.  S  Morri- 


18  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

son  were  elected  elders.     Since   the  organization   these 
few  members  have  been  striving  to  build  a  house  of  wor- 
ship.    Dr.  Hawley  presented   the  congregation  with  a 
suitable  lot,  and  on  it  a  frame  building,  45x33  is  now  in 
process    of  construction,    which   when   lighted,   seated, 
plastered  and  painted,  according  to  the  design,  will  prove 
an  ornament  to  the  village  of  Polkton  as  well  as  a  source 
of  pride  and  great  joy  to    the   self-denying,    struggling 
few  who  have  planned,    persevered  and  executed  in  the 
face    of   great    obstacles.     The  evangelist  reports    the 
"church    enclosed,     good  floor   and  overhead    ceiling, 
recess,    pulpit  and  seats  being  made,   all    in  good  style; 
but  still  wanting  sash,  glass,   door,  blinds,  paint,    stove 
and  bell."     He  also  adds:     "The    whole    cost    of  the 
building  to  date  is  probably  not  less  than  $700  or  $800, 
and  our  property  in  the  end   will  be  worth  not  less  than 
$1,000  or  $1,200."     Rev.  R.  A.  Miller,   whilst  pastor  of 
Wadesboro,  preached  at  this  point  occasionally;  and  so 
did  Rev.  James  L.  Williams,  who,  as   evangelist  of  Pres- 
bytery, succeeded  Bro.    Miller.     Rev.   A.   G.  Buckner, 
Evangelist   of  Presbytery,    took    charge   of  the   Anson 
field,  of  which   Polkton  'is  a   part,   July  1st,  1882,    and 
continues  to  labor  there  most  acceptably  to  the   Presby- 
tery and  the  church.  Lately,  Rev.  R.  A.  Miller,  assisted 
the  evangelist  in   a  meeting  at   Polkton,   when   7  adults, 
representing  6  families,  were  received  into  membership;: 
and  a  Presbyterian  Sabbath -school  was  organized. 

SHELBY. 

Some    one    may    be   surprised  to  see  Shelby   Church    | 
placed  among  the   new  churches  of  Presbytery,    when  it 
was  organized  by  Rev.  Jesse  Rankin,   evangelist  of  Con-    I 
cord  Presbytery,  about  the  year  1858.     The  explanation 
is  this:  Whilst  it  had    an  existence   from  1858   to  1869, 
when    the    Presbytery    of  Mecklenburg  was  organized, 
that  existence  vvas  a  very  precarious  one — simply  a  name 
to  live.     The  minutes  of  1870  report  12   members,    with 
no    Sabbath-school,    none   received    the   year   previous 
either  on  examination  or  certificate,  and  nothing   given 
for  salary  or  any  other  purpose.      As  late  as  1875  it  had 
only  7  members,  all  of  whom   were  females.     No  deter- 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  1 9 

mined  effort  on  the  part  of  Mecklenburg  Presbytery  in 
behalf  of  this  church  seems  to  have  been  made  until 
1871.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  Presbytery  met  in  Shelby 
and,  there  being  no  church  building,  occupied  by  court- 
esy the  Methodist  and  Baptist  churches  of  the  village. 
A  building  committee,  consisting  of  Revs.  John  Douglas,. 
N.  Shotwell,  and  elder  Wm.  Tiddy  of  Linconlton  church, 
was  appointed  at  this  meeting;  and  in  September,  1875, 
this  committee  reported  that  the  house  of  worship  in 
Shelby  had  been  built  at  a  cost  of  $1,800.  Isaac  Irvin 
was  the  first  elder  of  this  church,  and  J.  H.  Gouger  was 
afterwards  elected.  These  elders,  with  Dr.  W.  P.  An- 
drews and  Wm.  E.  Ryburn,  were  appointed  trustees  for 
the  church,  and  in  1868  received  a  lot  for  a  church 
building  from  Mrs.  Martha  Beaty,  a  member  of  the  Re- 
formed Church.  This  lot  was  afterwards  sold  for  the 
sum  of  $215,  which  was  appropriated  to  the  building  of 
the  church.  Isaac  Irvin  having  died  in  1875,  and  elder 
Gouger  having  removed  to  Mecklenburg  County,  the 
following  officers  were  elected  and  installed:  Henry  F. 
Ramseur,  J.  N.  Forney,  J.  Pagen  Stacker,  elders;  John 
F.  Tiddy,  R.  E;  Kerr,  and  B.  B.  Babington,  deacons. 
At  the  request  of  the  church,  and  with  consent  of  the 
Presbytery,  Rev.  R.  Z.  Johnson,  pastor  of  Lincolton 
"hurch,  began  to  supply  this  church  in  September,  1875, 
and  preached  regularly  one  Sabbath  in  each  month  until 
fune,  1883.  During  this  period  of  about  eight  years, 
54  members  were  received;  the  sacrements  were  regular- 
ly administered;  all  objects  of  benevolence  supported  by 
the  Presbyterian  Church  were  annually  responded  to; 
the  assessments  of  Presbytery  were  paid  and  reports 
made  to  Presbytery  annually.  The  church  contributed 
during  these  years  $2,300;  $200  of  this  sum  was  raised 
or  the  Assembly's  objects  of  benevolence;  the  debt  due 
:he  contracter  was  paid;  the  house  of  worship  was  im- 
proved, and  painted,  and  furnished  with  hymn  books, 
Drgan,  lamps,  bell,  stoves,  and  carpet.  A  small  Sabbath- 
ichool  of  25  or  30  pupils  has  been  regularly  sustained 
irom  year  to  year,  and  has  contributed  from  $20  to  $40 
annually.  Two  young  men  connected  with  the  congre- 
gation have  been  enabled  to  pursue  College  courses — one 


20  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

at  Nashville  Tennessee,  the  other  at  Davidson  College. 
The  congregation  desiring  more  preaching  than  Bro. 
Johnston  could  give  them,  Presbytery  separated  thisl 
church  from  the  Lincolnton  Church  in  May,  1883,  with  a 
view  of  locating  an  evangelist  in  Shelby  who  should 
give  one  half  his  time  to  the  Shelby  Church  and  the  re- 
mainder to  missionary  labors  in  Rutherford  and  Polk 
Counties.  Rev.  E.  P.  Davis,  of  the  Presbytery  of  South 
Carolina,  but  formerly  a  licentiate  of  this  Presbytery, 
was  chosen  evangelist,  accepted  and  entered  upon  his 
work  November  14th,  1883.  Since  the  evengelist  began 
his  work  here  the  Sabbath-school  has  been  more  regu- 
larly organized,  a  library  purchased,  a  prayer  meeting 
established,  and  the  church  building  much  improved  as 
to  appearance  both  within  and  without.  Shelby,  the 
County  site  of  Cleveland  County,  with  a  population  ot 
1800,  is  one  of  the  growing  towns  of  the  State.  Presby- 
terians are  attracted  there  by  its  climate,  its  beauty  of 
situation,  its  broad  sandy  streets  and  its  prosperous 
business  interests.  And  now,  with  a  new  church  com- 
plete and  attractive  in  all  its  appointments,  a  resident 
minister  giving  at  least  half  of  his  time  to  this  church,! 
and  a  constantly  increasing  congregation,  with  the 
Savior's  blessing,  may  not  the  Presbytery  confidently 
expect  the  steady,  vigorous  growth  of  this  church  in  all 
the  elements  of  real  strength  ?  This  church  has  been! 
served  by  the  following  ministers:  Rev.  Jesse  Rankin 
and  Rev.  R.  N.  Davis,  occasianally  for  a  few  years  after 
its  organization;  Rev.  A.  A.  Porter,  D  D. ;  of  South 
Carolina,  for  three  months  during  1864;  Rev.  N.  Shot- 
well,  once  a  month  from  1866  to  1871;  and  Rev.  J.  W.1 
Query,  during  1884,  m  connection  with  Goshen  and  Paw 
Creek  Churches.  Since  writing  the  above,  I  learn  that 
this  church  has  purchased  a  manse  for  the  sum  of 
-$i,450. 


RED  OAK. 


Red  Oak  Church  was  organized  by  Rev.  Jesse  Ran- 
kin, September  1st,  1869,  fr°m  members  which  belonged 
to  Rheims  Creek  Church,  situated  ten  miles  East  of 
Red  Oak,  and  at  that  time  in  connection  with  the  New 


PRESBYTERY  OF  MECKLENBURG.  2T 

School  Assemblv.  Peter  Hughes  and  Demas  A.  White 
were  the  first  elders.  Rev.  George  Summey  labored 
lere  during  two  vacations  of  the  Seminary,  and  was  in- 
strumental in  putting  up  the  first  house  of  worship, 
kvhich  was  completed  in  1874.  and  cost  about  £900.  The 
congregation  furnished  the  material  for  this  building; 
ind  elder  A.   T.   Summey  collected   over  $500,   almost 

ntirely  in  $1.00  subscriptions.  This  church  was  acci- 
dently  destroyed  by  fire  in  December,  1880.  Since  then 
1  new  church  has  been  built  on  the  same  spot,  but  in 
nuch  better  style.  This  is  a  frame  building,  30x45,  very 
neatly  furnished,  and  will  comfortably  seat  300  persons. 
It  cost  about  $800,  of  which  sum   elder  A.    T.    Summey 

ollected  $460  in  small  subscriptians  from  almost  every 
State  in  the  Union  east  of  the  Mississippi  River.  This 
church  has  only  16  members,  but  its  out-look  is  decidedly 
hopeful.  It  is  very  favorably  located  in  the  midst  of  the 
bright  tobacco  growing  district  of  Buncombe  County- 
Owing  to  its  central  location  and  comfortable  accommo- 
dations, good  congregations  assemble  whenever  there  is 
preaching.  A  prosperous  Union  Sabbath-school  is  sus- 
tained through  the  entire  year.  The  growth  of  the 
church  has  been  slow,  and  one  of  the  main  causes  of  this 
want  of  growth  is  its  frequent  and  often  protracted 
vacancies.  Scarcely  has  the  little  flock  learned  to  know 
their  shepherd's  voice  and  to  love  him  dearly,  when  he 
is  taken  from  them,  and  they  left  desolate.  There  is  no 
way  of  estimating  the  injury  our  cause  has  sustained  in 
the  mountain  country  by  frequent  changes,  and  vacan- 
cies extending  through  months  and  even  lengthening  in- 
to years.  The  officers  of  this  church  are  G.  W.  Brittainr 
R.  W.  White,  A.  T.  Summey,  elders;  and  G.  W. 
White,  deacon.  The  following  ministers  have  served 
the  church:  W.  N.  Morrison,  M.  R.  Kirkpatrick,  J.  P. 
Gammon,  and  W.  W.  Moore.  It  is  at  present  supplied 
by  evangelist  Robt.  S.  Brown.  Here  follow  brief  his- 
torical sketches  of  such  preaching  stations  and  missions 
of  the  Presbytery  as  promise  to  ultimately  grow  into 
churches. 


22  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

BANKS  CHAPEL. 

Is  a  mission  station  of  Providence  Church  and  is  lo- 
cated in  Union  County,  about  two  miles  from  the  Mecklen- 
burg line,    one  mile  from  the  line  dividing  North  and 
South  Carolina,  and  about  eight  miles  from   Providence 
Church  in  Mecklenburg  County.     Families   residing   in 
this  community  had  long  felt   the   need   of  a  house   of 
worship  and  regular  preaching  in  their  midst.     The  road] 
from  this  point  to  Providence  Church    was  through  a 
district  so    destitute  of  forests,  that   there  was  almost  no 
protection  against  the   glaring  heat    of  a    summer   sun; 
and  such  was  the  character  of  the  soil,  that  the  roads  be- 
came  well  nigh    impassable  in   winter.     This   being  the 
case,  a  petition  for  the  organization    of  a  church  in    this 
community  was  prepared  as  early  as  the  summer  of  1874, 
and  placed  in  the  hands  of  proper   authorities,    but   no 
action  was  taken.     There  was  at  that   time  no  church  of 
any   denomination   in   this   immediate   vicinity.     After- 
wards^ our  Methodist  brethren  built  a  neat  and  substan- 
tial brick  building  where  they  hold  regular  services.     A 
second  attempt  was  at  length  made  to  secure  a  house  of 
worship  and  regular  preaching  for  this  community.     The 
writer  of  these  lines,  then  pastor   of  Hopewell    Church, 
thirty  miles  distant,  with  the  consent  and  hearty  appro- 
val of  Rev.  G.  S.  Robinson,    then  pastor  of  Providence 
Church,  visited  this  community  in  the  summer  of  1881, 
in  the  interest  of  a  church  building.     Spending  a    night 
with  Dr.  J.  T.   Kell,  who  lives  three   or  four  miles    from 
the  chapel  in  Mecklenburg  County,    he  began  the  next 
day's  work  with  a  subscription  of  $100,  and  the  purpose 
of  his  mission  so  commended    itself  to  the   favor  of  the 
community  that  the  subscription  amounted  to  more  than 
$500  before  the  close  of  the  day.     The  subscription   list 
was  placed  in  other  hands,    and    the   amount    necessary 
was  soon  secured.     A  suitable  building  lot,    fronting  the 
public   road^  leading  from    Fort  Mill,  S.  C,  to  Monroe, 
N.  C,  was  given  by  Dr.  Wm.  Mcllwain;  a  building  com- 
mittee was  appointed,    the  contract  was  awarded  Mr.    J. 
B.  Squires,  and  in  a    few  months  the  chapel  was   com- 
pleted at  a  cost  of  about  $600,   all  of  which  was  promptly 
paid.     This   chapel  is  a  frame  building,  30x40  feet,  neat- 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  2$ 

ly  finished,  and  furnished  with  stove,  organ,  and  neces- 
sary pulpit  furniture;  and,  by  the  persistent  efforts  of 
the  ladies,  will  soon  be  made  even  more  attractive  and 
comfortable  by  being  painted  and  carpeted.  Rev.  G- 
S.  Robinson  began  preaching  at  YVolfsville  Academy 
near  this  place  in  the  Spring  of  1875,  and  by  invitation 
of  our  Methodist  brethren,  moved  his  services  to  their 
church  about  1877,  and  continued  to  preach  there  once 
each  month  until  the  chapel  was  built,  when  he  preached 
there  regularly  twice  a  month  until  his  pastoral  relation 
with  Providence  Church  was  dissolved  in  September 
1882.  All  things  considered,  it  requires  no  superhuman 
intelligence  to  safely  predict  a  quiet,  steady  growth  and 
great  usefulness  for  Banks  Chapel.  It  is  situated  in  one 
of  the  finest  farming  districts  of  the  county,  and  in  the 
midst  of  an  industrious,  law-abiding,  prosperous  citizen- 
ship. There  could  be  a  church  organized  here  at  any 
time  representing  at  least  ten  Presbyterian  families  and 
a  liberal  share  of  the  wealth,  enterprise  and  intelligence 
[of  the  community-  The  planting  of  this  chapel  has  al- 
ready accomplished  good,  and  the  good  yet  to  be  ac- 
complished through  its  instrumentality  in  the  long  stretch 
of  years  to  come  is  known  only  to  the  "Lord  of  the 
Harvest."  May  the  fondest  anticipations  of  its  friends 
and  supporters  be  more  than  realized  !  For  years  this 
community  have  not  only  had  their  Sabbath  schools  but 
their  academies,  and  the  result  is  that  it  has  been  almost 
constantly  represented  in  male  and  iemale  colleges. 
Some  of  the  young  men  trained  in  these  schools  have 
become  teachers,  others,  physicians:  and  three  have  en- 
tered the  ministry;  one  in  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
two  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  This  chapel  was 
named  in  honor  of  Rev.  Wm.  Banks,  deceased,  so  wide- 
ly known  in  this  community  and  in  South  Carolina,  and 
so  much  beloved  by  all.  Rev.  Wm,  R.  Atkinson. 
IPresident  of  Charlotte  Female  institute,  is  now  (April 
1 1 884)  supplying  this  point  in  connection  with  Providence 
Church.  Since  writing  the  above,  this  chapel  has  been 
temporarily  supplied  by  Mr.  John  L.  McLees,  Student  of 
(Columbia  Seminary :  and  at  a  communion  service  recent- 
ly held,  at  which  he  was  assisted  by  Bro.  Atkinson, 
there  were  a  number  of  additions  on    profession  of  faith. 


24 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 


WILLIAMS    CHAPEL. 


Is  located  in  Mecklenburg  county,  on  the  Beaties  Ford- 
road,  about  5  miles  from  Charlotte,  and  about  the  same 
distance  from  Hopewell  church  on  the  same  road.  The- 
existence  of  this  chapel,  like  that  of  Amity  church  and 
Banks  chapel,  is  only  another  illustration  of  what  pastors 
could  do  by  extending  their  labors  into  neighboring  lo- 
calities either  wholly  or  comparatively  destitute  of  gos- 
pel privilege?.  Formerly  this  was  a  mining  district,  and. 
every  close  observer  knows  what  blighting  effect  such 
institutions  have  upon  the  surrounding  country. — 
Very  soon  the  Sabbath  is  virtually  abolished;  and  drunk- 
enness, profanity,  and  almost  every  other  crime  run 
riot — polluting  the  minds  of  the  young,  and  hardening 
the  old  in  sin.  This  community,  though  numbering 
some  of  the  best  men  and  women  in  the  county  among 
its  citizens,  still  bears  the  unmistakable  signs  of  a  mining 
district.  This  state  of  things,  and  the  additional  fact 
that  the  people  were  uncared  for  by  any  other  denomi- 
nation of  Christians,  led  Rev.  J.  C.  Williams,  the  pastor 
of  Hopewell  church,  to  visit  them  and  hold  meetings 
occasionally  in  a  grove,  where  a  stand  had  been  erected, 
and  around  which  a  few  rough  seats  were  placed.  In 
these  meetings  he  was  sometimes  assisted  by  Rev.  G.  D. 
Parks,  and  at  other  times  by  Rev.  John  Douglas.  But 
no  Sabbath-school  was  established;  no  church  was  or- 
ganized; no  house  was  built;  and  hence  no  permanency 
was  given  the  effort.  And  so  matters  stood  until  the 
death  of  Bro.  Williams,  when  he  was  succeeded  in  the 
pastorate  of  Hopewell  by  the  writer  of  these  lines.  He 
continued  to  visit  the  people  at  their  homes  and  preach 
for  them  in  the  grove  for  several  years  during  the  Spring 
and  Summer;  but  became  at  length  fullv  satisfied  that 
very  little  would  be  accomplished  without  a  house  of 
worship.  A  house  was  now  determined  upon.  A  beau- 
tiful building  lot  of  2  acres  was  purchased  from  Mr. 
James  McRee  in  the  Spring  of  1881 ;  and  during  the  fol- 
lowing Summer  a  large  frame  building,  with  a  seating 
capacity  of  300  or  400,  was  erected,  temporarily  seated, 
and  occupied.  From  want  of  means,  this  building  was 
neither  ceiled,  plastered,  nor  painted.     The  people  were 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG. 


25 


generally    poor,   and    besides    had  received  very  little 
training  in  the  grace  of  giving.     The   subscription   of  a 
number  did  not  exceed  $5.00  each:  and  had  they  not  been 
generously  assisted  by  members  of  Paw  Creek,   Su-ar 
Creek  and    Hopewell  churches,  and  by  liberal  business 
men  in  Charlotte,  the  house  would  not  have  been  built 
When  this  house  was    begun  not   so    much  as  $100  was 
assured  from  any  and  all  sources.     But  the  difficulties  of 
building  being  surmounted,  and  the  doors   of  the  new 
rhurch  thrown   open,    the  pastor's  reward  was    neither 
mall  nor  long  delayed.     Great  crowds  gathered  at  the 
napel  on  Sabbath  evenings,  a  Sabbath-school  was  or- 
ganized; and  before  the  year  1881  closed  22  persons  had 
inited  with   the  church-15   of  these  on   confession    of 
heir  laith,  and    7  on   certificate   from    other  denomina- 
10ns.     Rev.  F    L   Leeper  took  charge  of  this  work  in 
connection  with  Hopewell  church,  January,    1882-  and 
mder  his  administration  the  house  has  been  well  seated 
he  babbath-school   sustained    and  enlarged,    and  addi- 
lonal  members  received.     This  chapel  is  located  in  one 
i  the  most  thickly  settled  districts  in  the  State,  and  not 
eing  crowded  by  other  churches  its  prospects  for  growth 
re  decidedly  bright.     Not  less  than    100  white  families 
ve  within  a  radius  of  two  miles,   and  a  church  of  40  or 
?  members  might  be  organized    at    any  time        This 
■lapel  was  named  in  honor  of  Rev.  J.  C.  'Williams,  who 
as  the  pioneer  in  this  mission  work.'     Since  writing  the 
x>ve,  Bro.  Leeper,  before  leaving  the  Presbytery,  held 
embeTsUni0n    ^^    ^   ^    received  'additional 

IROXTOX    MISSION 

Is  situated  in  the  village  of  Ironton,  on  the  C  C  R 
.,  7  miles  east  of  Lincolnton,  and  in  the  midst  of  the 
m  region  of  Lincoln  county,  the  Reinhardt  furna-e 
mg  only  about  3  miles  distant.  This  furnace  is  now 
"led  by  a  New  York  Company,  but  is  not  in  opera- 
|  owing  to  the  low  price  of  iron.  In  addition  to  the 
■  interest,  the  C.  C.  R.  R.  Company  own  an  excel- 
lt  stone  quarry  near  by,  connected  by  a  branch  track 
th  their  main  line.     The  business  of 'the  town  is  con- 


26  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

siderable.     There  are  3  stores;   and  one  firm   buys  andj 

ships  from  1000  to   1500  bales  of  cotton   annually,    and 

sells  1500  or  2000  tons  of  guano.     There  is  also  a  two- 

story  academy  now  occupied  by  the  school  in  charge  of 

Rev    Dr    Bickle,  a  prominent  Lutheran  minister  long  in 

connection  with  the  Lutheran  College  at  Mt.  Pleasant' 

N    C      The  population  of  the  village  is  about  150.     be 

fore  the   railroad   was   built  a  log  church  stood   where 

the  station  is  now  located,    called  Sharon,  and  was  buill 

on  land  belonging  to  the  Dellingers    who  were  Presby 

terians,  holding  their  membership  at  Machpelah  chuich 

some  s  or  6   miles  distant.     The  old  log  church  disap 

peared-  and  a  small  frame  building  has  been  erected,  anc 

is  used  as  a  union  church,  by  the  Methodist,  Lutherans 

and  Presbyterians.     The  Methodists  have  a  society  am 

monthly   appointments;   the  Lutherans  have   a  churcJ 

and  monthly  services;  and  the  Presbyterians  have  abcxi 

20   members,   which    forma   mission  of  the   Lincolntoi 

church,  served  by   Rev.    R.   Z.    Johnston,    monthly,  o:; 

Sabbath  evenings.     The  Presbyterians  are  not  only  th 

strongest  numerically  and  financially,    but  embrace 

number  of  young,   industrious  and  prosperous  famihe 

The  mission  has  secured  a  building  lot,  part  of  the  lum 

ber,  and  $125,  toward  a  church  building,  and  purpose  t 

build  just  as  soon  as  possible. 


HIGHLANDS    MISSION. 


The  village  of  Highlands,  situated  in  Macon  count 
00  miles  Southeast  of  Franklin,  and  30  miles  from  Wa 
halla,  S.  C,  is  of  recent  origin.  In  the  Spring  of  187 
Messrs.  Kelsey  &  Hutchison  came  to  this  locality 
search  of  a  health  resort,  and  being  pleased,  purchas* 
800  acres  of  land  from  J.  W.  Dobson,  Esq.,  for  $160 
At  this  time  there  was  no  mail  line,  and  not  a  sing 
store  or  dwelling,  whilst  now,  after  9  years  of  persu 
ent  effort  in  the  face  of  great  obstacles,  at  least  40  mil 
of  new  road  has  been  built,  daily  mails  connect  wi 
Franklin  and  Walhalla,  and  weekly  mails  with  Webst 
and  other  points.  There  are  now  6  stores  in  the  villag 
2  saw  mills,  1  grist  mill,  1  shingle  mill  door  and  sa 
works,   furniture  factory;  and   45  dwellings  within    ■ 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  2- 

corporation,  ranging  in  cost  from  $300  to  more  than 
^3000.  One-third  of  this  number  was  erected  the  oast 
year  and  are  tor  the  most  part  neat  and  substantial 
buildings.  The  population  has  increased  about  7;  in 
the  last  year,  and  now  numbers  300  or  4co.  A  railroad 
has  been  surveyed  from  Highlands  to  a  point  on  the  Ra- 
bun Gap  Railroad  near  the  Georgia  line,  and  it  is 
thought  will  certainlv  be  built. 

As  a  health  resort  this  place  is  bound  to  attract  atten- 
tion      I  he  highest  temperature  is  about  86  degrees  and 
the  lowest  about  7   degrees  below   zero.     Sayl  one' well 
acquainted  with  the  place:     "A  number  of  persons  have 
been  benefitted  by  a  stay  here.      Persons  suffering  from 
balana  and   bilious  troubles  will  get  well  here  if  not  be- 
yond all  hope  when  they  come.     Those    suffering   trom 
ung  and  throat  troubles,   indigestion,  kidnev   affections 
fmd  nen-ous  debility,    are  benefitted'  and  many  are  en- 
:irely   cured.        The  town    is    situated  on    an    extended 
gateau  on  the  very  top  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  at  an  eleva 
:ipn 1  of  3700  feet  above   sea  level,    and  is  said  to  be  the 
ughest  village  east  of  the  Rockv  Mountains.     The  pop- 
ulation, representing  at  least  18'Statesand  Territories  of 
he  Union,  are  sober,  moral  and  enterprising.     There  is 
.circulating  library  in  the  village;    z   literary  society! 
>hich   meets  regularly,   and  is  well  attended  by  old  and 
bung;  whilst  the  day-school  extends  through  10  months 
ach    year.     The  first    Presbyterian    minister    to    labor 
ere  regularly  was  Rev.  A.  Melvin  Cooper,  of  Michigan 

fc?yelm  Hl§hlands  June'  ^79,  and  began  at  Snce 
3  teach  in  the  academy,  preach  regularly  and  conduct  a 
■eekly  prayer-meeting,  although  in  feeble  health.  After 
losing  the  fall  term  of  the  academy,  he  went  to  Nor- 
ross,  Ga  where  he  pursued  his  studies;  and  connect- 
ig  himself  with  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  was  Sensed 
nd  returned  to  Highlands  in  "the  spring.  Here  he  be 
•un  work  with  his  accustomed  zeal  and  energy  but  his 

Vt\oTle:T d?Tud to be  sW  ft «■  «£ 

rLh  aw  i'  hlS  health  was  raPidl>'  declining.  He 
eachedhis  last  sermon  Jan.  9th,  l88i,  and  ten  days 
ten^ards  he  rested  from  his  labors  and  was   buried  in 

lhirdaelthCemeteiy-      Br°-  C°°Per  WaS  in  his  2*h  vear 


28  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

Rev.  James  E.  Fogartie,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Charles 
ton,  the  second  minister  in  this  field,  began  his  labors 
December  ist,  1883,  as  an  evangelist  of  Presbytery.  Ht 
found  no  regularly  organized  church,  only  a  societ) 
composed  of  about  half  a  dozen  Presbyterians,  a  few  con 
gregationalists,  and  some  non-professors.  Their 
are  now  about  twenty  members;  the  congregations  aver 
age  about  100  every  Sabbath  morning.  For  the  presen 
there  is  a  Union  Sabbath-school  held  every  Sabbatl 
morning,  and  prayer  meeting  in  the  evening;  also  ; 
weekly  prayer-meeting  and  ladies'  Bible- class.  Th 
friends  of  the  mission  living  here  have  subscribed  abou 
$400  for  the  support  of  the  evangelist;  and  two  generoui 
ladies,  Mrs.  S.  P.  Ravenell  and  her  sister  Mrs.  Burt,  c 
Philadelphia,  are  building,  entirely  at  their  own  expense 
a  beautiful  church  for  our  people  in  Highlands.  Thii 
building  is  of  wood — dimensions  60x33  feet,  and  20  fe€' 
in  ceiling — is  centrally  located,  and  will  not  cost  les 
than  $3,000.  It  is  expected  that  this  church  will  be  full 
completed,  dedicated  to  God's  worship,  and  occupiec 
during  the  present  summer  ( 1884);  also  that  the  Higl 
lands  Church  will  be  fully  organized  by  the  election 
suitable  officers. 


BREVARD     MISSION. 

Rev.  Wm.  H.  Davis,  pastor  of  Davidson  Riv 
Church,  has  been  preaching  in  the  village  of  Brevarj 
the  County  site  of  Transylvania  County,  for  sevei 
years.  A  lot  has  been  secured  worth  at  least  $100;  mc 
of  the  necessary  lumber  is  on  the  ground;  funds  ha 
been  collected;  and  it  is  expected  that  a  neat,  comfort 
ble  little  chapel,  worth  $600  or  $800,  will  soon  be  bu 
and  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God.  Such  a  buildi 
would  not  only  be  a  great  convenience  to  members 
Davidson  River  who  live  in  Brevard,  three  or  four  mi 
distant,  but  a  source  of  increased  interest  and  r< 
strength  to  Presbyterianism,  because  of  the  large  nu| 
ber  of  visitors  who  spend  their  summers  in  Brevard. 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  29 

KING'S     MOUNTAIN    CHURCH. 

Since  writing  up  these  different  missions   of  the  Pres- 
bytery, a  new  church  has  been  organized  in    the   village 
.f  King's    Mountain;     in    Cleaveland     County.       This 
hurch  was  organized  on  the  5th  of  April,    1884,    by   a 
ommission   consisting  of  Revs.    F.    L.  Leeper,   G'    L 
Look   J.  J.  Kennedy,  and   elder  J.  O.  Holland  of  Gas- 
Dnia  Church.     Twenty-two  members  were  received  on 
ertificate  from  other  churches,  and    the   following  were 
lected  officers:    Dr.   T.  T.    Hay   and  Wm.    I.    Stowe 
(ders;  and    R.    T.  Cansler  and'  L.    G.    Hay,    deacons! 
his  church  is  at  present  served  by  our  evangelist    Rev. 
:.  P.  Davis  of  Shelby;  and  under  such    leadership,    and 
om  the  character  of  its  officers  and  members,  it  is  con- 
dently'expectedtogo  on  ''from  strength  unto  strength." 
:  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  new  Presbytery,  in  the  fifteen 
ears  ol  iter  history,    has    organized    fourteen    churches, 
lid   established    five    mission  stations,  into  which    have 
^en  gathered  not   less    than    1,000   members    and    800 
abbath-school  pupils,  who   contributed  last  year  for  all 
>jects  not  less  than  Si 0,000,  and  whose  church  proper- 
is  worth  at  least  S^s.ooo. 


CHAPTER  III. 


BRIEF  HISTORY    OF  SOME    OF   THE    OLDER 
CHURCHES,    WHOSE    HISTORY     HAS 
BEEN  SOMEWHAT    REMARK- 
ABLE. 


ASHEVILLE  CHURCH 


I 


N  givino-  a  sketch  of  the  Asheville  Church,  I  begin 
L  with  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  P.  Gammon,  who  is  still 
pastor  He  began  his  work  here  in  September,  1878, 
and  from  minutes  of  General  Assembly  of  1879,  contain- 
ing first  report  of  the  session  after  his  installation,  1  learn 
that  the  church  had  then  three  elders,  two  deacons^  and 
7S  members,  and  contributed  $9  to  home  missions, 
$11  to  Invalid  Fund,  $12  to  Foreign  Missions,  $6  for 
Education,  $5  for  Publication,  $10  for  Presbytenal,  and 
$119  for  Congregational  purposes,  beside  the  amount 
paid  on  pastor's  salary.  The  next  year  the  church  is  re- 
ported with  99  members— 17  received  the  year  previous 
on  examination,  and  8  on  certificate;  5  elders  4  deacons, 
a  general  advance  in  contributions  to  benevolent  objects, 
and  $600  on  pastor's  salary.  In  1882,  th;s  church  re- 
ported 124  members— 18  received  on  certificate  and  8 
on  examination;  $173  for  Home  Missions  $116  for  for- 
eign Missions,  $55  for  other  benevolent  objectsfj$663  ioi 
Congregational  purposes,  and  $1,000  lor  pastor  s  salary. 
The  church  now  (1884)  has  6  elders,  5  deacons^  15c 
members,  and  contributed  last  year  $200  for  Home 
Missions,  $125  for  Foreign  Missions,  $95  for  other  bene' 
volent  objects,  $500  for  Congregational  purposes,  anc 
$1,000  for  pastor's  salary:  thus  exhibiting  a  gain  in  < 
years  of  75  members,  which  doubles  the  number  of  1878 
and  an  increase  in  contributions  for  benevolent  object: 
from  $53  to  more  than  $400,  and  in  salary  from  less  thai 
$600  to  more  than  $1,000.  This  church  owns  excelled 
manse  property,  so  much  improved  in  the  last  few  year 

(30) 


PRESBYTERY  OF  MECKLENBURG.  3 1 

in  appearance  and  comfort  that  it  would  readily  sell  for 
$3,000  or  4,000.  It  is  only  a  few  years  since  this 
church  applied  for  and  received  aid  from  Presbytery 
to  support  its  pastor,  whilst  now  it  returns  annually  into 
the  treasury  of  Presbytery  four  times  the  amount  re- 
ceived at  that  time.  '  Since  the  organization  of  this 
Presbytery  three  young  men,  members  of  this  church. 
have  entered  the  ministry,  viz:  Rev.  George  Summey, 
Rev.  James  H.  Morrison,  and  Rev.  George  F.  Robert- 
son (see  biogTaphical  sketches).  Anew  church  build- 
ing is  in  process  of  construction,  which  will  cost  not  less 
than  $8,000. 

PAW  CREEK  CHURCH. 

At  the  organization  of  Presbytery  in  1869,  this  church, 
then  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Barr,  reported  185  members 
— six  received  the  year  previous,  on  examination,  and 
lone  on  certificate;  25  pupils  in  Sabbath-school  and  Bible 
I  class.  Si  8  given  for  all  objects  of  benevolence,  and  Si 96 
for  pastor's  salary.  In  1870  and  1871,  about  $10  was 
raised  each  year" for  benevolence,  and  $300  for  pastor's 
salary.  In  1873  this  church  was  served  by  Rev.  J.  W. 
Querv,  then  a  licentiate  of  Presbytery,  when  18  mem- 
bers were  received;  S28  were  raised  for  benevolence,  and 
$400  for  salary  of  licentiate  for  one  half  his  time.  In 
1874  Rev.  R.  H.  Chapman,  D.D.,  then  President  of 
Charlotte  Female  Institute,  became  pastor  and  served 
the  church  about  four  years.  During  this  period  45 
members  were  added — 37  on  examination,  and  8  on  cer- 
tificate: 3  adults  were  baptized  and  77  infants;  S104  was 
raised  for  benevolence;  S41  Presbyterial,  and  about  Si. 000 
for  pastor's  salary.  At  the  close  of  Dr.  Chapman's  term 
of  service  there  were  227  members  on  the  roll — thus 
showing  a  gain  in  eight  years  of  42  members.  October 
20th,  1877,  Rev.  George  L.  Cook  began  to  serve  this 
church.  There  being  some  interest  manifested,  he 
preached  continuously  about  ten  days  or  two  weeks. 
Those  interested,  however,  were  not  called  upon  to 
make  public  profession  of  their  faith  at  that  time. 
I  Twelve  persons  were  admitted  to  the  communion  about 
the  close  of  the  vear,  and  others  were  afterwards  received. 


32  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

From  that  time  until  now,  a  period  of  about  seven  years, 
ioo  persons  have  been  received  on  examination  and  15 
on  certificate.  Church  attendance  has  almost,  if  not 
fully  doubled.  The  Sabbath-school  has  grown  from  25 
pupils  in  1869  to  150,  the  pastor  teaching  a  large  Bible 
class  of  about  40  pupils  of  both  sexes.  Thirteen  adults 
have  been  baptized,  and  142  infants.  Contributions  to 
benevolence  have  increased  from  $10  in  1870  to  about 
$300,  and  pastor's  salary  from  $300  to  $700.  And,  in 
addition,  an -excellent  new  brick  church,  65x43,  with  a 
seating  capacity  of  700  or  800,  has  been  built,  finished 
in  good  style,  and  well  furnished.  This  building  was 
began  in  the  fall  of  188 1,  and  completed  in  the  spring  of 
1882,  and  was  dedicated  by  Dr.  Latimer  of  Davidson 
College  on  the  last  Sabbath  of  April,  1882.  The  whole 
cost  of  the  building  for  every  thing  except  furnace,  car- 
peting, and  pulpit  furniture,  was  $2,500,  all  of  which 
was  paid  in  cash  when  the  keys  were  received  from  the 
contractor.  At  a  cost  of  about  $200  additional  a  furnace 
and  carpeting  has  been  secured,  and  two  thoughtful, 
generous  ladies  of  the  First  Church,  Charlotte,  presented 
the  congregation  with  $75  with  which  to  furnish  the 
pulpit,  which  has  been  done,  and  handsomely  done.  All 
things  considered — contributions  to  benevolence,  pastor's 
salary  church  property,  and,  best  of  all,  one  hundred 
souls  gathered  for  the,  "Master's  use"  and  glory — there 
has  been  no  greater  work,  amid  equal  difficulties,  ac- 
complished in  this  Presbytery  or  Synod  inthesame  length 
of  time,  than  in  Paw  Creek  Church  under  the  adminis- 
tration of  Rev.  George  L.  Cook. 

HOPEWELL  CHURCH. 

At  the  organization  of  the  Presbytery  in  1869  this 
church  had  163  members;  and  when  taken  charge  of  by 
the  writer  in  June,  1875.  it  had  only  165.  But  I  would 
have  none  to  infer  from  this  that  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  J. 
C.  Williams  was  an  unfruitful  one;  for  it  was  anything 
else.  It  proved  a  great  blessing  to  the  church  in  many 
respects.  The  apparent  want  of  growth  is  due  to  the 
large  number  of  deaths  and  removals.  Bro.  Williams, 
andothers  before  him,  had  labored  faithfully  in   this  old 


PRESBYTERY    OP    MECKLENBURG.  33 

historic  church:  and  the  writer  was  privileged  to  ''enter 
into  their  labors,"  as  they  had  entered  into  the  labors  of 
others.      "One  soweth,   and  another  reapeth         I   was 
ordained  and   installed  pastor  of  this  cnurch,  June  1 8th 
iS-s      During  that  year  there  was    no  special  interest 
manifested-onlv  two  members  were  received  on  exami- 
nation and    four  on    certificate.     But   in  1876  a    more 
abundant   harvest  was  gathered-twenty-two  were    re- 
ceived on  examination  and  thirteen  on  certificate.     In 
i««77    thirtv  were  received   on  examination   and   rive  on 
certificate.      In    1878,   thirty-three  were   received  on  ex- 
amination and  four  on  certificate.     In  1879,  six  were  re- 
ceived on  examination  and  seven  on  certificate.     In  1 880, 
fifteen  were  received  on  examination  and  three  on  certi- 
ficate.    In  1881,  thirtv-three  on  examination  and   eight 
on  certificate.     Thus,' it  will  be  seen     there  were  added 
to   the  church  during   these  six   and  a  half  years    185 
members— 132  on  examination    and    53   <?n    certificate, 
and  it  is  only    just  to  say  that  on  no  occasion  were  any 
high-pressure  measures  introduced:  no  celebrated  evan- 
gelist was  transported  from  a  distance:  no  trickery   was 
?esorted   to.    no   mourner's  bench    was    provided,    and 
not  even  an  inquiry  meeting  was  held.     There  were  a 
large  number  of  voung  persons  in  the  congregation,  and 
these  the  pastor  made  it  his  duty  to  visit  in  private,  and 
to  beseech  them  to  be  reconciled  to  God  and  to  confess 
Christ  openly  at  the  approaching  communion  season     it 
not  earlier      These  communion  meetings  were  held  three 
times  a  year,   and  usually  began  on  Friday,  and  never 
extended  beyond  Sabbath  evening.     In  these   meetings 
he  was  usually   assisted  by  neighboring  Pastors-*e;rS; 
W.  W.  Pharr,  S.  H.  Chester,  G.  L   Cook  and  others 
In  August,  1877,   he  was  assisted  by  Rev.  J.    B.  Mack 
and  Rev    T    H.  Thornwell,  when  nineteen  persons  were 
received  on  examination,  ten  of  whom  were  young  men 
At  the  last  communion  season,  in  the  fall  oi  1881,  the 
pastor  was  assisted  by  Rev.  F.  L.   Leeper  then  of  Fort 
Mill   S    C     when  nineteen  members  were  received,    lhe 
Church  nowhad283,  having  made  a  net  gain  of  118  mem- 
bers m*%  years.     In  addition  to  this  numerical  gam, 
the  church 'advanced  in    contributions  to  benevolence 
from  $120  to  more  than  $300.     A  classical  school  was 


34  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

fnIa««Sh<>d  '"  l878'  members  o' the  congregation  pledg- 
ing $800  for  its  support.  In  1880  Mr.  H  A  Grev  then 
an  elder  m  Sugar  Creek  Church,  became  prin'cipa 
and  has  made  this  school  a  decided  success  A  new 
academy  has  been  built  very  near  the  church,  at  a  cost 
oi  about  $500,  and  with  increased  accommodations  the 
school  seems  to  be  growing  in  tax  or  and  efficiency  as  it 

£n££  }'ear-„  ThS  SCh00'  had  Seven   representatives 
at  Davidson  College  last  year  (1883),    and  fully  as  manv 

rw!L^i    '"    Pr°CeSS  graining   for    that    Institution. 

was  b,dl   aef  PaSt01'are  u  ReV'  J-  C-  Williams  the  n»'«e 
«as  built  at  a  cost  of  about  JS3.000:  and  during  the  next 

pas  orate  the  value  of  the  church  property  was^increased 
\L  rfffl        8fa  slate  root  upon  the  church,  the  build- 
ing of  the  academy  and   Williams  Chapel       Rev    F   I 
i-eeper  became  pastor.  January  1st,    1S82,   and  has' al- 

Tefders^ 'eSSed  '"  ""  K°f  The  Ch"rch  "°«  has 
9  eldeis,  9  deacons,  311  members;  and  received  in    1882 

41  members-,;  on  examination  and  4  on  certificate. 
Kex.  k  l.  Leeperjust  before  leaving  this  church  to  en- 
gage in evangelistic  work  in  Nashville   Presbytery    was 

church      t0  reCeUe  3   ,U,mber  0{yOUR8  l1e°Ple  ™°  ^ 

STEELE  CREEK  CHURCH. 

ten"  I'fi^L5655^?1  rreP0rt,made  to  the   ne»-  Pl'esbv- 
tery    I  find  Rev.  John   Douglass  reported  as  pastor  of 
this  church    and  the  church  credited  with  338  members 
150  m  Sabbath-school  and  Bible  classes,  sigg  given  for 
benevolence  and  $658 ;  for  pastor's  salary.      During  the 

hllnS  u  h3Ve  elapSed  Since  that  tr,»e  this  church 

has  made  such  constant  progress  that  it  is  now  not  only 

SvnodT.  \  Tr  '"  \he  Prsb>'ter>'  of  Mecklenburg  an  1 
S>  nod  of  N  orth  Carolina,  but  there  are  only  six  or  seven 

m Pfnt IT  VS  '"  T  Gene,al  -^embly/and  these  are 
red-        g  '    /"    "1'  a  S'"«k  >'ear  h"s  it  failed   to 

The  Ll^T°"Su°m  the  WOlld  °°  Profession  of  faith. 
I  i he  smallest  number  received  on  examination  was  in 
18/O  when  only  three  were  received;  and  the  larsrest 
number  ,„    lH        w^         ^   ^J^'f^ 

"hole  number  received  on  examination  during  these  15 


PRESBYTERY  OF  MECKLENBURG.  35 

years  is,  270;  and  on  certificate,  87 — thus  making  a 
total  of  357  and  an  annual  aYerage  of  about  25.  During- 
this  time  there  was  a  loss  by  death  of  66,  and  bv  removal 
of  98.  The  number  of  members  now  on  roll  is  465; 
from  which  deduct  the  original  membership,  338  at  the 
organization  of  this  Presbytery,  and  there  appears  a  net 
gain  of  127  members.  The  number  of  pupils  in  Suridav 
school  and  Bible  class  has  grown  from  150  to  355,  con- 
tributions to  benevolence  from  S299  to  S527,  and  pas- 
tor's salary  from  $658  to  $900.  The  number  of  baptisms 
is  as  follows:  adults,  26:  infants,  347;  total  373.  The 
church  property  has  greatly  increased  in  value.  The 
church  building  has  been  improved  at  an  expense  of 
S625;  a  new  session  room  has  been  built  at  a  cost  of 
S275;  an  academy  building  for  S350:  an  adjoining  lot  of 
20  acres  purchased  for  S400,  upon  which  a  manse  has 
been  built  at  a  cost  of  Si,  600.  This  church  also  has  a 
classical  school  in  successful  operation,  under  the  effi- 
cient management  of  Mr.  H.  W.  Harris  and  Miss  Hattie 
Herren.  Rev.  J.  W.  Query,  of  South  Carolina,  and  W. 
H.  Xeel  now  in  Columbia  Seminary;  were  members  01 
this  church  (for  further  information  see  chapter  on  re- 
vivals ). 

FIRST  CHURCH,    CHARLOTTE. 

This  old  church  has  grown  continuously  from  the  or- 
ganization of  this  Presbytery  to  the  present  I  1884);  so 
that  is  is  larger  in  numbers,  more  abundant  in  labors. 
and  more  liberal  in  contributions,  than  at  any  period  in 
its  history.  In  its  first  report  to  the  new  Presbvterv,  in 
1870,  it  reported  260  members,  11  persons  received  the 
year  previous  on  examination,  and  15  on  certificate:  and 
for  benevolent  objects  of  the  assembly,  $2,452;  and  for 
pastor's  salary  and  other  purposes  S6, 192.  Since  Oct., 
1869  (date  of  organization  of  this  Presbytery),  325  mem- 
bers have  been  received,  16  adults  have  been  baptized, 
and  194  infants.  During  the  second  pastorate  of  Rev. 
Dr.  Miller,  extending  from  1865  to  the  present  (March 
1884),  444  persons  have  been  received,  and  of  these  3 
are  now  ministers  of  the  gospel,  viz:  Rev.  W.  W.  Moore 
and  Richard  S-  Burwell,  received  on  profession  of  taith; 


36  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

and  Rev.  Horace  M.  Whaling,  on  certificate.  The  con- 
tributions from  this  church  have  been  uniformly  large; 
from  March  1882  to  March  1883  they  amounted  to 
$5,990,  of  which  sum  $2,259  were  for  purely  benevolent 
objects;  and  from  January  1st,  1870,  to  March,  1884, 
contributions  for  benevolent  objects  not  including  pas- 
tor s  salary,  amounted  to  $32,318.71 ;  and  for  benevolent 
objects  and  pastors  salary  the  sum  is  $60,318.41;  and 
from  January  1st,  1870  to  March,  1884,  for  all  objects, 
$98,444-05 — thus  averaging  more  than  $7,000  each  year 
since  1870.  The  church  property,  embracing  a  whole 
square  in  the  heart  of  the  city,  and  valued  at  $30,000  in 
1869,  has  been  much  improved  since.  In  1876  a  suita- 
ble manse  was  built  on  the  church  lot,  at  a  cost  of 
$5,639.50;  the  church  building,  already  one  of  the  most 
attractive  and  comfortable  in  the  city,  has  been  made 
more  so  by  improvements  amounting  to  $2,000  or  $3,000; 
and  the  proposed  new  spire  has  been  contracted  for  at 
an  additional  expense  of  §2,500.  It  will  thus  be  seen 
that  the  church  property  in  15  years  has  increased  in 
value  more  than  $10,000.  During  these  years,  the 
Second  Church  was  organized  from  the  First 
Church.  On  the  6th  of  October  1873,  a  petition 
signed  by  16  persons,  all  of  them  members  of  the  First 
Church  except  one,  was  read  by  Dr.  Miller  to  Mecklen- 
burg Presbytery,  then  in  session  in  the  First  Church, 
asking  for  the  organization  of  a  Second  Church  in  the 
City  of  Charlotte.  This  petition  was  granted,  and  21  of 
the  30  members  who  entered  the  organization  were  from 
the  First  Church,  and  others  from  time  to  time  have 
united  with  the  Second  Church.  And  yet  the  First 
Church  has  now  (March  1884)  390  members,  thus  show- 
ing a  net  gain  over  all  losses  by  death  and  removal  of 
more  than  1 20,  whilst  the  growth  in  the  two  churches  in 
Charlotte  has  been  from  260  members  in  1870  to  667  in 
March,  1884— a  gain  of  more  than  430.  But  the  growth 
of  the  Frst  Church  in  members,  in  contributions,  and 
church  property  by  no  means  fully  represents  the  labors 
of  the  pastor.  During  his  first  brief  pastorate  of  two 
years  in  Charlotte,  he  began  his  evangelistic  labors  in 
the  mountain  country.  In  the  Summers  1855-56,  when 
there  were  no  railroads,  he  travelled  in  his  buggy  from 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  37 

Charlotte,  by  way  of  Lincolnton,  Morganton,  Asheville, 
Waynesville,  Webster,  Franklin,  and  beyond  near  to 
the  Georgia  line — holding  meetings  all  along,  the  fruits 
of  which  remain  to  this  day.  Dr.  B.  W.  Moore,  of 
Franklin,  one  of  the  most  intelligent  and  devoted  elders 
of  the  Presbytery,  was  received  into  the  church  on  this 
tour.  During  his  second  pastorate  he  resumed  his 
evanvelistic  tours  in  1866,  and  before  this  Presbytery 
was  formed  held  meetings  in  Mitchell,  Yancey,  Ashe, 
Watauga,  Caldwell,  Madison,  Rutherford,  Polk,  Bun- 
combe, McDowell,  Swain,  Graham,  Clay  and  Cherokee. 
Several  of  these  meetings — in  Morganton  and  elsewhere 
— were  attended  with  marked  results.  Since  the  or- 
ganizatian  of  this  Presbytery,  by  its  order  he  has  made 
annual  visits  to  our  mountain  country,  often  preaching 
where  no  other  Presbyterian  minister  had  ever  been 
heard  or  seen,  spending  from  eight  to  ten  weeks,  and 
travelling  sometimes  after  leaving  the  railroads  as  much 
as  S50  miles  by  private  conveyance.  During  his  first 
pastorate  in  Charlotte  he  baptized  Chalmers  Moore,  son 
of  Rev.  Wm.  Moore,  deceased,  in  Franklin  Church, 
and  during  his  second  received  him  into  the  church. 
He  also  received  Albert  G.  Buckner  into  Red  Oak 
Church,  and  baptized  him;  the  latter  of  these  is  now  an 
evangelist  of  the  Presbytery,  whilst  the  former  is  a  can- 
didate for  the  ministry,  and  has  lately  graduated  at 
Davidson  College. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


REVIVALS. 


SHARON  CHURCH,  MECKLENBURG  COUNTY,  1872. 

REV.  Wm.  A.  McDonald,  who  supplied  this  church  at 
that  time,  thus  writes  of  this  revival  meeting.  "The 
meeting  at  Sharon  was  a  precious  season.  We  com- 
menced on  Thursday  before  the  first  Sabbath  of  Aug. , 
and  continued  until  Wednesday  following — assisted  by- 
Rev.  W.  W.  Pharr,  Rev.  J.  M.  Rose,  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Hudson  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  For  the  first  three  days 
there  did  not  seem  to  be  any  marked  signs  of  the  Spirit's 
presence;  but  on  Sabbath  morning  it  seemed  like  a 
Pentecostal  shower — the  whole  congregation  being; 
powerfully  moved.  The  session  house  was  crowded 
with  applicants  for  membership,  and  large  numbers 
were  received  from  that  time  until  the  close  of  the  meet- 
ing. I  have  never  witnessed  such  a  demonstration  of 
the  Spirit's  power.  There  were  so  many  applicants 
that  we  began  to  feel  that  there  was  great  danger  of 
receiving  too  many.  The  meeting  closed  with  the  in- 
terest not  in  the  least  abated.  We  received,  if  I  mistake 
not,  40  or  41  additions  on  profession  of  faith,  ranging  in 
age  from  15  to  50  years.  Many  were  restored  to  Chris- 
tain  privileges,  and  God's  people  greatly  refreshed. 
And  time  has  proven  this  work  to  have  been  God's 
work.  The  great  majority  received  at  this  time  have 
run  well — adorning  the  doctrines  of  Christ  with  a  holy 
walk." 

SUGAR  CREEK,   MECKLENBURG  COUNTY,    1874. 

This  church  has  enjoyed  so  many  seasons  of  refresh- 
ing there  is  no  space  to  speak  of  them  all,  nor  of  any  of 
them  at  length.  I  quote  from  the  diary  of  the  pastor, 
Rev.  G.  D.    Parks,  beginning  with  December  1874.        I 

(38) 


PRESBYTERY     OF    MECKLENBURG. 


39 


omit  the  revival  of  1876.    in  which  2S  members  were  re- 
ceived on  profession;  also    that  of  1869,    when  13  Vpung 
men  of  the   congregation  publicly  declared  for   Christ— 
as  these  meetings  occurred  previous  to  the  organization 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg.      The   pastor   writes 
under  date  of  December,  1874:       "Through  this  and  all 
last   year   I  have   been  moved   to    great  earnestness   in 
prayer  for  a  mighty  awakening  in  the  church  looking 
and  longing  for  a   displav  of  the  mighty  power  of  God 
mall  our  churches."     May,    1875:     "God   has   after  a 
long  trial  of  iaith   heard  mv  prayers  and  seen  my  tears. 
For  a  long  time  I  have  gone   to  the  church  looking  for 
some  sign  ol  His  coming.     Our  communion  came  off  on 
the  fourth   Sabbath  of  April.       Had  no  help  on  the  first 
day   of    the^  meeting,    although  two  brethren  were  ex- 
pected.    Went  to  church  unprepared  to  preach  but  had 
help  from  God.      Rev.  Wm-  A.  McDonald  came  Satur- 
day, and  preached  twice,    and  again  on   Sabbath  morn- 
ing. _    I    conducted    the    communion    services    Sabbath 
evening,  and   during  these  services  the  presence  of  the 
Lord  was  very  manifest,  and  deep    impressions  were  felt 
by  many.      Preaching  was  appointed  for  Tuesday  even- 
ing at  sun   down ;  and  after  preaching  an  enquiry  meet- 
ing was  held,    and  was   attended   by  many.      From  that 
time  to  the  present  ( last  of  May),   meetings   have   been 
held  twice  a  week  at   the  church,    and   prayer  meetings 
in    different    parts    of  the  congregation.      Pious    young- 
men  of  the  church  hold  prayer   meetings  at  night  'at  the 
homes  ol  neighboring  families,  and  at  10  a.m.   on   Sab- 
bath, in  the  session  house.        At  the  same  hour  the  con- 
gregation assembles  in    the    church    for   prayer.     After 
the  sermon  the  congregation  assembles  for  prayer  in  the 
church  whilst  an  inquiry   meeting  is   being    held   in   the 
session   house,   the   number  attending   increasing   from 
day  to  day. ' '     Fifth  Sabbath  oi  May :      '  The  number  of 
inquirers  increasing— six    or    eight' new    ones     to    day. 
The  blessed  work  still  goes    on.     The  young  men  are 
frequently  asked  to  hold  meetings   in  families  before  the 
careless    and    ungodly."      August:      "Our    communion 
was    on    the  second  Sabbath    of  August.     Was   again 
alone    on    the    Sabbath,     but    God    was    my    helper. 
Preached    on    the    text    'And  His  name  shalfbe   called 


40 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 


Jesus,   etc.  God  put  great  power  upon  His  word.     At 
the  close  of  the  sermon  my  soul  was  moved  with  such 
overpowering  desire  to  see  sinners  come  to  Jesus,  that 
my  strength  was  well  nigh  exhausted.      After  recess  the 
Lord's  Supper  was  administered,  and  great  solemnity 
and  tenderness  tilled  the  house.      A  blessed  day;  Christ 
was  in  our  midst,  a  blessed  day;  for  19  new  converts  sat 
down  with  us,  for  the  first  time,  at  this  communion,  and 
three  of  them  were  our  own  children.     My  heart  was 
much    impressed    with    God's    covenanted   faithfulness 
seen  in  these  three  children  sitting  together  in  heavenly 
places  in  Christ  Jesus;  for  in  them  I  looked  upon  the 
fifth  generation  of  my  kindred  who  as  Presbyterians  had 
loved  and  served  God.      At  the  close  of  the   day's   ser- 
vices T.  asked  the  congregation  to  say  whether  the  meet- 
ing should  continue  or  close.     The  silence  was  broken 
by  tb  z  voice  of  a  good  old  mother  who   had  long  been 
praying  for  the  conversion  of  her  sons,  saying,    'Don't 
stop.'     An   aged  father,  whose  children  had  manifested 
no   concern   about   their     souls,    rose,    and   with  tears 
moved   that  the    meeting   be    continued.     Immediately 
the  whole  congregation  rose  as  an  expression  of  earnest 
desire  for  its  continuance.      The  gracious  work  seemed 
to  be  moving  forward   with  increased  power,  and  two 
services  was  held  each  day  for  a  week.    Prayer  meetings 
were   kept   up;    and  in  view  of  the    approaching   com- 
munion   to   be  held   in   October,   the  session  met  with 
those  concerned   about   their  souls,   every  Sabbath,   in 
order  to  instruct  those  who  desired  to  be  received  into 
full    communion."       October    24:     "Our    third    com- 
munion was  administered  on  the  fourth    Sabbath  of  this 
month,   at  which  time  20  members  were  added  to  the 
church,  which  makes  44  added  on  examination  since  our 
communion  in  April.      This  precious  work  of  grace  ex- 
tended to  other  congregations    and  its  happy  effects  up- 
on Sugar  Creek   are  seen  to  this  day  in  the  piety   of 
many.       Under    the  life-giving   power   of  this   day   of 
grace,  we  had  among  our  membership  20  or  more  per- 
sons  who  took  part  in  prayer  meetings;  and  although 
some  have  moved  out  of  our  bounds,    and  others  have 
joined  the  church  above,   there  are  now  about  15  men 
who  lead  in  public  prayer." 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  41 

UNION  CHURCH,   GASTON  COUNTY,    1 878. 

In  the  spring  of  1878,  at  the  request  of  a  pious  and 
zealous  elder,  the  pastor  of  Union  church,  Rev.  W.  B. 
Corbett,  commenced  a  series  of  sermons  upon  the  "Way 
of  Salvation,"  aiming  to  show  the  value  ot  the  soul  and 
the  means  by  which  men  may  obtain  the  great  salva- 
tion. The  two  sermons  on  each  Sabbath  were  on  the 
same  topic,  and  it  was  thought  that  God  enabled  the 
pastor  to  point  out  the  way  of  escape  clearly.  On  Sat- 
urday and  Sunday  he  was  to  have  been  at  Steele  Creek 
church,  but  the  flood  of  the  Catawba  forced  him  to  turn 
back.  He  now  went  to  Bethel  church  in  South  Caro- 
lina, where  he  found  Rev.  R.  E.  Cooper  assisting  father 
Watson  at  his  fall  sacramental  service.  This  meeting 
was  continued  for  some  days — a  number  of  the  young 
people  of  Union  church  attending,  as  the  two  churches 
are  only  about  7  miles  distant.  On  Friday,  Sept.  27th, 
the  pastor  preached  twice  at  Union;  and  on  Saturday 
was  joined  by  Rev.  John  Douglas,  who  remained  over 
the  Sabbath.  But  before  services  began  on  Saturday, 
the  pastor  and  session  were  taken  by  surprise  at  the  sud- 
den manifestation  of  the  deepest  interest  on  the  part  of 
the  congregation.  A  meeting  of  session  had  been  ap- 
pointed for  Saturday,  but  before  members  of  session  had 
all  assembled.  Elder  Henderson  came  to  the  pastor, 
and  in  great  astonishment  said  :  '  'The  session  house  is 
Jull  of  people!"  The  pastor  found  15  or  20  persons 
present,  who  had  come  for  advice  or  to  seek  admission 
to  church  ordinances.  The  meeting  was  continued,  the 
pastor  being  assisted  by  Rev.  J.  J.  Kennedy.  The  re- 
sults were  most  gratifying — 47  persons  were  received 
into  the  church  on  profession  of  their  faith.  The  great 
majority  of  these  were  young  people  from  16  to  30  years 
•of  age,  and  as  far  as  is  known,  very  few  of  these  have 
been  notably  inconsistent.  A  number  of  them  showed 
.a  very  lovely  piety — pure  and  fruitful.  There  was  no 
calling  up  of  mourners  in  this  meeting;  the  preacher 
and  his  hearers  were  calm.  The  session  met  often,  and 
persons  were  invited  to  come  and  receive  instruction 
and  advice.  This  meeting  seemed  to  form  a  part  of 
that  great  wave  of  gracious  influences  which  swept  over 


42  i-.f  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

a  number  of  the  churches  of  Bethel  Presbytery  in  York 
county,  S.  C,  and  by  which  some  300  members  were 
added  to  the  churches  there  in  only  a  few  months. 

SWANNANOA    CAURCH,    BUNCOMBE    CO.,     l88o. 

In  the  summer  of  1880  the  Swannanoa,  Red  Oak,  and 
Oak  Forest  churches  in   Buncombe  county,    were,    by 
the  direction  of  Presbytery,  supplied  for  five  months  by 
Mr.  W.  W.  Moore,  then   a  candidate   for   the   ministry 
and  a  student  at  Union  Seminary,  Virginia.      For  three 
months   there  were  no  marked  results  in  either  of  the 
churches,  and  the  opinion  was  expressed  that  Swannanoa 
was  in  the  least  hopeful  condition  of  all,  owing  to  pre- 
valent discords,  coldness,   and  apathy.       But  we  "know 
not  what  is  the  way  of  the  Spirit. ' '       An  epoch  in  the 
history  of  Swannanoa  Church  was  at  hand.     On  Sabbath, 
August  7th,  the  congregation  assembled  and  listened  to 
an  address  on  the  power  of  prayer,    which  was  designed 
to  prepare  their  minds  for  the  communion  services  of 
the  approaching  Sabbath.       These  services   were  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  J.  P.  Gammon    of  Asheville,  who,    after 
preaching  two   sermons,    discovered  indications   of  un- 
usual interest,  and  announced  that  he  would  preach  next 
day  also.     The  development  of  interest  was  distinct  and 
steady.     Bro.  Gammon  continued  to  preach  twice  a  day 
for  more  than  a  week  to   constantly  increasing  crowds, 
which  gathered  to  hear  the  word  notwithstanding  great 
stress  of  business  and  much  drenching  rain.     There  was 
earnest  prayer;  there  was  earnest  preaching;    there  was 
personal  appeal.       The  feeling  of  awe  which  character- 
izes all  conscousness  of  the  Spirit's  immediate  presence 
was  deep,  and  the   consequent  solemnity  of  manner  on 
the  part  of  the  congregation  was  impressive,  and  doubt- 
less served  to  arrest  and  soften  many  who  came  as  curi- 
ous skeptics.     One  striking  proof  of  profound    interest 
was  the  fact  that  the  congregation  would  not  disperse 
when  dismissed — when  brought  to  their  feet  to   receive 
the  closing  benediction  they  would  but  crowd  the  closer 
to  the  pulpit  to  hear  the  words  of  instruction  given  the 
inquirers.     The    number   of  inquirers    increased   daily. 
The  meeting  lasted  for  about  16  days,   and  the  visible 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  45 

results  of  the  work  may  be  summed  up  in  a  few  remarks. 
The  whole  church  was  revived;  breaches  were  healed; 
backsliders  were  reclaimed;  and  44  new  members  were 
added  on  profession  of  their  faith;  these  ranged  in  age 
from  15  to  55  years.  Whole  families  were  received; 
more  than  20  adult  and  30  infant  baptisms  were  per- 
formed. These  members,  too,  have  generally  adorned^ 
the  doctrine  of  God  their  Savior,  and  been  zealous  of 
good  works.  .No  man-made  machinery  was  used  in  this 
meeting.  Those  interested  were  instructed  during  the 
interval  between  sermons;  and,  in  addition,  a  number 
were  visited  at  their  homes  at  night  by  the  ministers 
present.  As  a  further  indirect  fruit  of  this  meeting,  the 
congregation  have  just  completed  and  occupied  an  ex- 
cellent new  brick  church,  at  a  cost  of  at  least  $1000. 

STEELE  CREEK,  MECKLENBURG  CO.,  1 879. 

A  meeting  was  begun  in  this  church,  Aug.  28^,1879, 
in  which  the  pastor,  Rev.  John  Douglas,  was  ably  assisted 
by  Revs.  J.  Lowrie  Wilson  and  George  A.  Trenholm,  of 
S.  C.  Each  day's  services  was  opened  with  a  prayer- 
meeting  at  9,  a.  m;  followed  by  two  sermons  in  day- 
light and  one  at  night,  except  Monday  night,  when  Mr. 
Wilson  closed  the  meeting  with  a  sermon  of  great  power 
from  Eccles.  xii,  13.  The  interest  seemed  to  be  increas- 
ing even  at  its  close;  but,  as  Mr.  Trenholm  had  to  re- 
turn home  Monday,  and  several  elders,  deacons  and  in- 
fluential members  were  compelled  to  be  in  Charlotte 
that  week,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  close  the  meeting. 
After  the  benediction  an  affecting  scene  was  witnessed, 
as  the  congregation  spontaneously  rose  and  came  for- 
ward to  the  pulpit  to  bid  adieu  to  the  beloved  '  'Man  of 
God"  who  had  so  faithfully  fed  them  on  the  "Bread  of 
Life"  for  the  last  4  days.  This  was,  perhaps,  one  oi 
the  most  interesting  and  precious  meetings  ever  held  in 
Steele  Creek;  and  this  is  saying  a  good  deal,  when  we 
recall  to  mind  the  very  precious  season  when  Dr.  Daniel 
Baker  was  there  in  1853,  and  another  when  Rev.  G.  D. 
Parks  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  in  June,  1856, 
and  still  another  known  as  the  Dr.  Nail  meeting  in  Sept. 
and    Oct.,    1866.     Quite    a    number  was   added   to   the 


44  HISTORICAL  SHETCH  OF  THE 

church  roll  at  each  of  these  meetings,    and  will  long-  be 
remembered   by  that  people  as  precious  seasons.      At 
this  meeting  conducted  by  Messrs.  Wilson  and  Trenholm 
there  were  21  additions  on  examinations;  and,  says  an 
intelligent  elder  of  that  church,  "There  have  been  meet- 
ings held    at  Steele    Creek  when  larger  numbers   have 
been  received;  but  never  has  there  been  a  more  enjoya- 
ble  meeting   in   my   day   than  the   Wilson  and   Tren- 
holm meeting.     Professors  of  religion  were  never  before 
more  awakened  and  revived,  and  sinners' made  to  feel 
and  tremble  Xl  their  lost,  ruined  and  helpless  condition- 
and  thanks  be  to  God  that  a  few  at  least  were   brought 
to  the  foot  of  the  cross  and  acknowledged  Jesus  Christ 
as  their  Savior.        I  quote  from  this  same  elder  in  re- 
gard to  the  gracious  work  experienced    in  this    church 
during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  J.  T.  Plunkett,  now  of  Cov- 
ington, Ky:     -Mr.   Plunkett's  term  of  service  here  be- 
gan June  6th,  1881,  and  ended  August  20th,  1882,  dur- 
ing which  time  90  members  were  added  to  our  church 
on  examination,  and  20  by  certificate,  making  a  total  of 
1 10   and  bringing  up  our  roll  to  465  members.      Most 
ol  these  new    members  were    received  at  two   meetings, 
viz:     June,  1881,  when  Mr.  Plunkett  was   ordained  and 
installed  pastor;  and  in  May,  1882.     At  the   former    21 
were  received  on  examination  and  11   by  certificate,  and 
at  the  latter  meeting  37  were  received   on  examination 
and  4  by  certificate,  making  a  total  of  73.     At   each   of 
these  meetings  only  ordinary  means  were  employed-  no 
mquirymeetings    even,  were   held.       Mr.    Plunkett"  la- 
bored faithfully  all  the  time  to  revive  professing  christ- 
ians,   to   awaken  and  reclaim  backsliders,  and  to  show 
the  impenitent  their  lost  and  helpless  condition,   and  to 

V?\k  ™m  f°  J?SUS-  I  Cannot  §"ive  a  more  correct  ^ea 
of  Mr.  Plunkett  s  preaching  at  Steele  creek  than  to  say 
our  people  seemed  revived,  and  the  impenitent  awakened 
during  the  whole  time  of  his  labors  among  us.  Wheth- 
er this  was  a  true  awakening  or  not,  God  only  knows— 
we  can  but  believe  and  hope  that  it  was.  But  so  far  as 
1  could  feel  and  judge  there  was  no  more  feeling  and 
interest  manifested  at  one  time  than  another;  hence  I 
could  not  say  there  was  any  special  revival  at  one  time 
more  than  another.1' 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  45 

SECOND    CHURCH,    CHARLOTTE,    1 882. 

The  present  pastor  of  this  church,  Re\'.  Neander  M. 
Woods,  reached  Charlotte  from  Galveston,  Texas,  Jan., 
1  ith,  1882,  and  went  to  work  at  once.       In  a  few  weeks 
there  was  observed  a  steady  increase  in  the  attendence, 
and  in  the  serious  attention  of  the  people.     Before  the 
end  of  February,   or  by  March  5th,  it  was  suggested  to 
him  that  some  'extra  services  be  held  to  meet  the  grow- 
ing interest  in  and  outside  the  congregation.       The  first 
extra  service  was  held  Monday  night,   March  6th,   the 
pastor  preaching.     The  next  night  Dr.  A.  W.  Miller,  of 
the   First  Church,   preached;  after  which  the  pastor  was 
alone  until  Wednesday,   March  22d,  when  Rev.  J.   L. 
Wilson,  of  South   Carolina,    arrived  and  gave  his  valua- 
ble services  for  three  nights.      The  pastor  had  held  a 
communion  service  before  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Wilson,  at 
which  49  members  were  received.     Mr.  Wilson  returned 
home  at  the  end  of  the  week   (March   25th),   and   al- 
though the  interest  was   still  deep  and  widespread  the 
pastor  felt  unable  to  go  on   alone,    and  as   a  series   ot 
meetings  were  in  progress  in  the  First  Church,    the  Se- 
cond  Church  was  closed,  and  pastor  and  people  united 
in  the  services  at  the  First  Church.      Sabbath  April  2nd 
there  was  communion  at  the  First  Church,  and  14  addi- 
tions to  the  church.   That  night,  at  Dr.  Miller's  request, 
Mr.  Woods  closed  his  church  and  preached  in  the  First 
Church.     The   interest    now   being     general     in    both 
churches  and  in  the  town  at  large,  and  it  being  impossi- 
ble to  take  all  the  interested   people  to  either  of  the  two 
churches,   Mr.  Woods  arranged  for  Mr.  Wilson  to  re- 
turn and  help  him,  beginning  Monday  night,  April  3rd. 
He  preached  in  the  Second   Church  all  that  week,    and 
at  the  same  time  there  was  preaching  every  night  in  the 
First  Church;  but  a  union    prayer  meeting  of  the  two 
churches  was    kept    up  in  the    afternoons.       The  next 
week  the  pastor  was  alone,  and  the  meetings  were  ended 
Sabbath,    April   1 6th,  with   these  visible  results;  Beside 
the  49  received   March    19th,   38  others  were  received, 
making  in  all  87   additions  growing  out  of  the  revival. 
Of  these  only  48  were  on  examination,  the  remaining  39 
being  on  certificate;  but  in  the  case    of  most   of  these 


46  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

coming  by  certificate  there  were  religious  experiences 
akin  to  conversion.     Many  of  them  were  persons  who 
had    long  been  in  Charlotte,    not    connected    with  any 
Charlotte  church,  and  brought  under  conviction  at   this 
revival.      During  the  present  year  (1884)  there  has  been 
another  revival  in  the  Second  Church.     Early  in  January 
last    Rev.    Dr.    J.    B.    Mack  preached  a  sermon    there 
which  produced  a  profound  impression.       During  the 
next  eleven  days  the  pastor  was  left  alone,  and  held  no 
extra  services  till  January  24th;  but  in  his  regular  minis- 
trations  chose  topics  suited  to  rouse  to  prayer,  and  ef- 
forts for  the  salvation  of  souls.      Dr.  Mack  returned  and 
began  extra  services,  January  25th,  and  remained  nearly 
a  week,  the  interest  gradually  increasing.      Later  on  the 
pastor  was  most  acceptably  aided  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Thorn - 
well,   of  Fort  Mill,   S.   C,  for  two  nights.       After  him 
came  Rev.  Wm.  Adams,  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyter- 
ian Church,  Augusta,  Ga.,  who  preached  eight  sermons, 
the    most    of  them    of  wonderful    power.     Excitement 
there  was  none,  and  yet  the  interest  was  deep  and  wide- 
ly extended.     As   a  result,   soon  after  the  close  of  the 
meeting  41  additions  were  received — 25  on  examination, 
ann  16  by  letter,  bringing  the  membership  of  the  Second 
Chnrch    to  about  300.       This  church  had    125  or  130 
members  when  taken  charge  of  by  the  present  pastor, 
January  nth,    1882. 

HOPEWELL,    MECKLENBURG  COUNTY,    1883. 

In  giving  an  account  of  this  meeting  I  quote  from  a 
letter  of  Rev.  F.  L.  Leeper,  pastor  of  the  church:  "It 
was  about  the  1st  of  January,  1882,  that  I  entered  upon 
the  pastorate  of  this  church.  Early  in  the  Spring,  in 
company  with  the  elders,  each  in  his  ward,  a  round  of 
pastoral  visits  were  begun,  partly  that  the  new  pastor 
might  get  acquainted  with  the  people  and  they  with  him, 
and  also  as  a  means  of  spiritual  instruction.  These 
visits  were  purely  pastoral,  and  at  the  beginning  of  them 
it  was  announced  from  the  pulpit  that  they  would  be 
followed  by  extra  religious  services.  An  hour  was  spent 
at  each  house;  the  families  were  gathered,  a  portion  of 
Scripture  was  read  and  expounded,  and  the  visit  was  in- 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  47 

[variably  closed  with   prayer.     Thus   about  two   months 
oi  earnest  preaching  from  house  to  house  was  employed 
.as  a  preparation  tor  the  series  of  meetings  to  follow;  but 
only  a  few  visits  were  made  until   it  became   evident   to 
pastor  and  elder  that    God's   Spirit  was  working  with 
them  applying  the  word.       Some  of  the  sweetest  exper- 
iences of  God's  nearness   and  love  were  enjoyed  by  the 
pastor  in  these  familv  gatherings.     Their  influence  on 
the   congregation  was  seen  in   the  slow  but  steady  in- 
crease of  the  attendence  upon  public  worship,  and  in  the 
earnest  attention  given  to  the  Word  preached.       As  the 
season  for  our  summer  communion  approached,    a  deep 
earnestness  of  expectation  became  more  and  more  mani- 
fest, especially  among  the  more  spiritual.       Bro.  Walter 
W.  Pharr   came  to  assist  me,  and  from  the  very  begin- 
ning the  preaching  was  in  demonstration  of  the   Spirit. 
When  the   Sabbath   of  communion   came,  such  was  the 
tide  of  interest  we  felt  constrained  to  continue  the  meet- 
ing.    For  more  than  two   weeks    this  aged  servant  of 
Christ  continued,  with  occasional  help,  to  preach  morn- 
ing and  night  to    congregations  which  filled    both  the 
body  and  galleries  of  the  church.       Bro.  Jas.   L.   Wil- 
liams, in  spite  of  bodily  infirmities,  preached  with  power 
in  the  middle  of  the  meeting,  and  Dr.  Mattoon  preached 
the  two  closing  sermons.       One  of  the  pleasant  features 
of  this  meeting  was  the  large  congregations  of  colored^ 
people  who  came    night  after  night.      The  singing  _  of 
these  vast  assemblies  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Spirit 
and  out  of  their  full  hearts  offered  their  tributes  of  praise 
will  never  be  forgotten  by  those  who  heard  it;  yet  there 
were  no  ebullitions  of  excitement,  save  only  by  one  poor 
colored  woman  on    one  single    night  of   the    meeting. 
Excitement  there  was;  but  it  was  that  of  men  powerfully 
moved  by  great  ideas  and  concerned  about  great  issues. 
No  other  instrumentality  was   used  save  that  appointed 
by  our  King — singing,  prayer,  and  preaching.     The  con- 
stant care  of  the  session  was    not  to  persuade  persons  to 
join  the  church,    but  to  come  to  Christ.      Whenever  the 
doors  were   opened  a  clear  statement  of  what  was  ex- 
pected of  church    members  was  made,    and  all  warned 
against  hasty  action.       The    results  of  this  meeting  will 
rest  as  a  blessing  on  this  church  as  long  as  time  lasts, 


48  HISTORICAL    SKETCH  OF  THE 

and  only  be  gathered  in  a  full  harvest  in  eternity  All 
dissentions  melted  before  the  ra>«  of  the  "Sun  of  Right- 
eousness," and  hearts  were  bound  in  love  to  each  other 
and  to  the  church.  There  were  added  to  the  church  U 
on  examination  and  one  suspended  member  restored* 
thus  bringing  up  our  roll  to  more  than  300  members! 
To  God  be  all  the  glory,  for  from  Him  came  all  the 
blessing. 

PHILADELPHIA,   MECKLENBURG  COUNTY,    1883. 

Rev.  Wm.  A.  McDonald,  pastor  of  this  church,  thus 
writes    in  regard    to   the   late  revival   meeting-      "Our 
meeting  last  August,  was  a   very  precious  one,  and  we 
believe  the   Lord   did   a  great  work   for  us.     We   had 
some  intimation    of  interest    previous    to   the  meeting 
The  young  men's  prayer  meeting  seemed  to  have  die 
Spirit  of  prayer.     On  the  8th  of  August  the  Mecklen- 
gurg  Bible  Society  met  at  our  church,  and  that  seemed 
to  revive  us.      Quite  a  large  crowd  assembled,  and  Rev 
Chas.  E.  McDonald   of  Central   Steele  Creek,  preached 
a  very  stirring  and  powerful  sermon  from   Ps.    cxxxviii 
2:   "For  thou  hast   magnified   thy   word   above  all   thy 
S?rme;*,    Thls  meetln&  was   a  good  beginning.     Bros 
J&ai    11      harr'    DD';  D-     P'    Robinson,   and  Hall  of 
Biddle  university,  were  our  regular  assistance;  but  Rev- 
Columbus   Kennedy  and   Rev.  Mr.   Edwards  of  the  M 
E.  Church  rendered  valuable  help.     We  commenced  on 
1  hursday  and  continued  until   noon   of  the   next  Tues- 
day.    The    interest   grew   from    dav  to   day    until    the 
Spirit  seemed  to  pervade  the  whole  house.       The  Word 
came  with  power  and  much  assurance.       The  congrega- 
tion hung  upon   the   Word,    and   many   desired   to  ask 
what  they   must  do   to   be  saved.     God's  people  were 
greatlv  revived,  and  17  members   were  received  on  pro- 
fession of  their  faith;       Some  3  or  4  of  these  were  heads- 
of  families,    but   most  of  them   were  young  people  from 
16  to  21.     Some  joined  us  from  the  M.  E.  Church,  and 
for  several    Sabbaths   after   the   meeting   two   or   three 
would  come  in  at  a  time    until    we    received    26  as    the 
fruits  of  the  revival.     Bless  the  Lord,  for  He  "hath  done 
great  things  for  us,  whereof  we  are  glad." 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  49 

Note.— In  closing  this  chapter  on  Revivals.  I  re- 
gret that  I  have  not  space  to  make  mention  of  a  num- 
ber ot  other  revivals  in  our  churches— especially  some 
ot  the  many  gracious  seasons  of  the  1st  Church.  Char- 
lotte: those  experienced  in  Mill  River  and  Henderson- 
llle,  under  the  faithful  ministry  of  Rev.  S.  Taylor  Mar- 
tin; those  of  Pineville..  under  the  labors  of  Bro.  G.  S 
Robinson;  and  the  meeting  in  Little  Brittain  church' 
during  the  pastorate  of  our  lamented  Brother.  Rev  Wm' 
M.  McGilvary. 


CHAPTER  V. 


BRIEF  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  OF  YOUNG  ME 
WHO  HAVE  BEEN  OR    ARE  NOW  UNDER  THE 
CARE   OF   THE  PRESBYTERY  AS  CANDI- 
DATES FOR  THE  MINISTRY. 


Rev.  George  Summey— 

WAS  born  June  3rd,  1853;  was  baptized  by  Rev. 
Chapman  Oct  1st,  1854;  and  was  received  into 
Asheville  Church   on  profession  of  faith  February   17 
1867,  during  the   pastorate  of  Rev.  H.  H.  Banks.      I 
tered    the   University    of    Georgia    1867;   and    ente 
Davidson    College  1868,   where  he  graduated  in  18 
Was  received  under  care  of  Concord   Presbytery  a: 
candidate  May   1st,    1869;  and  transferred  toMeck; 
burg   Presbytery  at  its  organization,  Oct.,   1869.       I 
licensed  by  this  Presbytery   Aug.    31st  1872,  after  h 
ing    spent    two   years    in    Union   Seminary   where 
graduated   in  1873-      Was  transferee!  to  Memphis  ?: 
bytery  September,  1873;  and  ordained  and  installed 
tor  of  Bolivar    Church  in  October  following.  #     Ser 
this  church  one  year  and  seven   months,  during  wl 
time  the  church  made  great  progress,  especially  in 
tributions,  and  29  persons  were  received  into  mem 
ship— 6  by  certificate  and  23  by  examination.       Was! 
stalled  pastor  of  Second  Church,  Covington,  Ky.,  Ji 
1 87  V  and  during  this  pastorate  of  five  years  the  cni 
building  was  greatly  improved,    and  101  members 
ceived— 59    by    certificate,     and    42    on    examinaj 
Served  the  churches  of  Graham  &   Company  Shod 
Orange  Presbytery  from  May  1st,    1881,  until  he 
charge  of  the  church  at  Chester,  S.  C,  m  spring  of 
Whilst  in    the  Graham  field    the  churches  made  g 
progress  in  systematic  benevolence,  and  congrega 
were    largely     increased;     several    promising     Mis 
s  (50) 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  5 1 

ations  were  maintained  and  more  than  300  pupils 
>re  gathered  in  the  Yarious  Sabbath-schools  connected 
th  the  two  churches.  Seventy-four  persons  were  re- 
ived— 14  on  certificate,  and  60  on  examination.  Since 
;ing  installed  pastor  of  the  Chester  Church,  Brother 
immey  was  permitted  to  receive  about  35  members  on 
ofession  of  faith  as  the  fruits  of  one  meeting — the  first 
mmunion  season  after  his  installation,  and  the  first  in 
e  church  since  being  extensively  refitted  and  repaired. 


ey.  James  Hardy  Morrison — 

Son  of  Rev.  Wm.  Xewton  Morrison — was  born  Feb. 
d,  1849,  and  received  his  academic  training  under 
)1.  Stephen  Lee,  a  graduate  of  West  Point-  United 
th  the  Asheville  Church  during  the  ministry'  ot  Rev. 
H.  Banks,  and  was  received  under  care  of  Concord 
esbytery  at  its  fall  session  at  Davidson  River  in  1869. 
aduated  at  Davidson  College  with  distinction,  1875; 
d  spent  a  year  teaching  in  Richmond  County,  N.  C. 
itered  Union  Seminary  August,  1876,  where  he  spent 
o  years:  and  in  April,  1878,  he  became  an  associate 
th  Rev.  E.  O.  Guerrant  in  his  large  field  radiating 
m  Mt.  Sterling,  Kentucky.  Was  transferred  from 
>cklenburg  Presbytery  to  \Yest  Lexington,  and  was 
msed  by  that  Presbytery  May,  1878,  and  ordained  an 
ingelist  the  following  September.  In  Mav,  1879,  he 
:epted  the  call  of  the  Portland  Avenue  Church, 
uisville,  Kentucky,  and  was  installed  pastor  October, 
jg.  In  this  pastorate  of  five  years  69  persons  have 
*n  received  on  examination,  and  21  by  certificate, 
king  a  total  of  90.  During  this  period'  he  has  also 
^anized  a  new  church  at  New  Haven.  Ky..  of  21 
mbers — all  on  examination — organized  a  Sabbath 
ool,  and  built  a  church  which  cost  about  Si,  500.  At 
•k  Mission,  where  Mr.  Morrison  labors  there  is  one 
:he  largest  Sabbath-schools  in  the  City  of  Louisville. 
1.  Bennett  H.  Young  is  the  honored  Superintendent 
his  school,  and  32  members  have  already  been  re- 
ved  at  this  point.  When  to  those  already  mentioned 
add  about  100  members  received  in  meetings  where 


52  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

Bro.  Morrison  assisted  his  brethren,  we  have  a  sum  t 
of  more  than  250  members  received  to  date. 

Rev.  James  Walter  Query — 

A  member  of  Steele  Creek  Church — entered  Ers 
College  January,  1867,  and  graduated  in  July 
Entered  Columbia  Seminary  the  following  Septem 
and  graduated  in  May,  1872.  Was  received  under 
of  Mecklenburg  Presbytery,  in  First  Church,  Charl* 
January  1870,  being  the  first  candidate  received  by 
new  Presbytery.  Was  licensed  April,  1872,  and  for 
year  supplied  Shelby,  Goshen,  and  Paw  C 
Churches.  Having  accepted  calls  from  Lancaster 
and  Douglas  Churches,  in  Bethel  Presbytery,  he 
transferred  to  that  Presbytery,  ordained  at  Bethl 
Church,  York  County,  S.  C,  May,  1873,  and  insts 
pastor  in  the  following  July.  Brother  Query  served 
Lancasterville  Church  eight  years,  and  the  Doil 
Church,  more  than  ten  years.  He  would  have  t, 
pleasure  in  furnishing  other  information,  but  had, 
misfortune  of  having  his  house  burned  in  Lancaster 
and  lost  not  only  all  his  books  and*. private  papers j 
the  session  books  of  his  churches.  Mr.  B.  W. 
Ilwaine,  a  candidate  for  the  ministry  and  a  recent 
uate  of  Davidson  College,  was  received  into  the  D 
las  Church  during  the  pastorate  of  Brother  Query. 

i 
Rev.  John  F.  Cannon — 

A  member  of  Sharon  Church — graduated  at  Davi 
College,  1869,  after  which  he  spent  a  year  at  the  Urn 
sity  of  Virginia.       Entered  Union  Seminary,    in 
and  graduated  in  1873.     Was  licensed  by  the   Pr< 
tery    of  Mecklenburg    in  the  First  Church,    Charj 
May   20th,  1873,  and   was  immediately  dismissed  t 
Presbytery  of  Chesapeake.      Began    his  work  in 
burg,   Va.,    June   1st,    1873,  and    was  ordained  an 
stalled  pastor  of  Leesburg  Church,    October  -20th,! 
remained  in  this  field  until  the  spring  of  188 1.       D 
this  time  the  roll  of  the  church  was  increased  more 
50  per  cent,  and  its  contributions  considerably  incrc 
At  the  same  time  Mr.  Cannon  did  a  large  mission 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  53 

be  surrounding  country,  which  has  resulted  in  a 
xh  being  organized  and  a  building  erected  at  Farm- 
Station,  seven  miles  distant,  and  the  organization  of 
ibbath-school  and  the  building  of  a  Chapel  in  a 
hborhood  three  miles  from  Leesburg.  Since  his 
ig  charge  of  the  Shelbyville  Church,  Tennessee,  in 
il,  1 88 1,  the  contributions  have  been  trebled,  hand- 
e  improvements  have  been  made  on  the  church 
ling,  and  about  40  persons  have  been  added  to  the 
ch.  The  work  in  Shelbyville  is  full  of  promise- 
her  Cannon  represented  the  Presbyterv  of  Chesa- 
e  in  the  General  Assembly  which  met  in  New 
ans  in  1877,  and  was  chosen  moderator  of  the 
>d  of  Nashville  in   1882. 


.  YVm.  E.  McIlwain — 

as  educated  at  Washington  and  Lee  University  and 

ine  College,  and  graduated  at  Columbia  Seminary, 

1875.     Was  originally  a  member  of  Six  Mile  Creek 

■ch,   S.  C,   but  subsequently  transferred  his  mem- 

lip  to    Lexington,  Va.,    and  from    thence  to   Provi- 

f  church,    Mecklenburg  Co.,  N.  C.     Was  received 

candidate  for  the  ministry  by  the   Presbytery    of 

denburg  at  Sugar  Creek  church,  April,  1873,  and 

licensed    in  the  1st   church,    Charlotte,  May    24th, 

Immediately  after  his  licensure  was   engaged  by 

John  C.  Williams,  then  pastor  of  Hopewell  church, 

rve  this  church  during  vacation  from  the  Seminary. 

st  at  the  Seminary  he  received   and  accepted  a  call 

Hopewell  church,  and  in  June,  1875,  was  ordained 

nstalled  pastor.     This  relation  continued  until  Dec. 

when  failing  health  compelled  a   dissolution.     As 

suits  of  this    pastorate,    see   sketch    of  Hopewell 

h  in  Chapter  III.     In  Dec,    1881,  he  was  elected 

relist  of  the  Presbytery,   and  reached  Waynesville 

the  following  March.       Since  that  time  the  new 

h  there  has  been  completed,   the  debt  on  it  paid, 

leatly  furnished  at  a  cost  of  more  than  $400.     A 

J  e  has  been  built  on  a  lot  adjoining  the  church  at  a 

Df  about  $800,  three  additional   elders  elected  and 


54  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

ordained,    Sabbath-school  organized,   and  a  few  mem- 
bers received. 

Rev.  W.  B.  Arrowood — 

A  member  of  Long  Creek  Church — was  received  as  3 
candidate  October,  1872,  graduated  at  Davidson  College; 
1876,  and  Union  Seminary  in  1879.  Was  licensed  by 
Mecklenburg  Presbytery  April,  1878,  at  Monroe,  N.  C. 
and  served  Sharon  Church  during  the  following  Summer 
Was  transfered  to  Montgomery  Presbytery,  May,  1879. 
ordained  at  Lynchburg,  Va.,  October,  1879,  and  in 
stalled  pastor  of  Pearisburg,  Hoges  Chapel,  and  Walker* 
Creek  Churches.  This  relation  continued  for  two  and  I 
half  years,  during  which  time  15  persons  were  received 
— 11  on  examination,  4  on  certificate.  On  the  1st  o 
January,  1882,  Mr.  Arrowood,  as  evangelist  of  Concon 
Presbytery,  began  work  in  Stanley  County,  N.  C,  lo 
eating  at  Norwood,  and  is  already  reaping  a  harvest  hi 
this  field.  Besides  preaching  at  Norwood  two  Sabbath 
in  each  month  in  the  mornings,  he  has  11  other  appoint 
ments,  at  most  of  which  a  Presbyterian  minister  wa 
never  heard  until  he  came  to  this  field.  In  Oct.,  1883; 
he  organized  a  new  church  with  18  members— all  oij 
profession  of  faith— and  is  now  engaged  in  collecting 
material  and  raising  funds  for  building  a  church.  Whei 
he  began  preaching  here  the  whole  community  paid  n<| 
attention  to  preaching.  Now  they  seem  greatly  inter; 
ested.  They  are  now  a  church-going  people — ofte:j 
crowding  the  school-house  where  services  are  held  s< 
that  it  is  necessary  to  preach  in  the  grove.  The  work  i 
growing  rapidly,  and  the  evangelist  is  greatly  encour 
aged.  Up  to  this  time  (July  1884)  he  has  received  3 
members  on  examination — 14  at  Norwood  and  19  1 
Beulah,  lately  organized — and  has  baptized  25  children 
and  13  adults. 

Rev.  George  F.  Robertson — 

Was  born  June  nth;  1853,  near  Greenville,  Tenr 
Was  prepared  for  College  by  Mr.  S.  M.  Banks, 
Asheville,  N.  C,  and  graduated  at  Davidson  Collegj 
in  1878.     Was  received  as  a  candidate  by  Mecklenbur 


PRESBYTERY    OF   MECKLENBURG.  55 

PresbYtery  October,  1873,  being  at  that  time  a  member 
rf  the'Asheville  Church.  After  completeing  his  literary 
:ourse  he  spent  one  Year  in  teaching  and  then  entered 
Princeton  Seminary,'  New  Jersey.  His  first  vacation 
was  spent  in  serving  the  churches  ot  Leesburg  and 
Rheatown  in  the  Presbytery  of  Holston.  During  his 
second  year  at  the  Seminary  he  accepted  calls  from 
Washington  and  Columbus  Churches,  Arkansas,  was 
licensed*5  by  Holston  Presbytery  April,  1880,  transfered 
to  the  Presbvterv  of  Ouchita,  and  by  that  Presbytery- 
ordained  September,  1880,  and  in  October  following 
was  installed  pastor  of  the  above-named  churches. 
These  churches  were  formerly  served  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Samuel  Williamson,  once  president  of  Davidson  College. 
This  relation  continued  for  about  eighteen  months,  in 
which  time  about  20  members  were  received — 16  or  17 
of  these  being  upon  profession.  In  February,  1882,  he 
took  charge  of  Taylorsville  and  Cane  Run  Churches  in 
the  Presbvterv  of  Louisville,  to  which  were  added  five 
members  on  e'xamination,  and  others  by  certificate.  In 
September,  1883,  he  entered  upon  evangelistic  work  in 
the  Presbvterv  of  Holston,  and  since  that  time  has 
preached  more  than  300  sermons  and  taken  part_  in 
meetings  in  which  245  persons  professed  faith  in  Christ, 
and  100  of  these  joined  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Rev.  W.  W.  Moore— 

A  member  of  the  First  Church,  Charlotte— graduated 
at  Davidson  College  in  1878.  and  at  Union  Seminary  in 
1 88 1.  Was  received  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry  by 
Mecklenburg  Presbvterv,  May  2nd,  1^79,  was  licensed 
by  the  same  body  at  Huntersville  April  16th,  1881,  and 
ordained  evangelist  at  Morrison  Church  August  iSth, 
18S1.  In  this  capacity  he  served  the  Swannanpa,  Red 
Oak,  and  Oak  Forest  Churches  in  Buncombe  County 
from  May,  1881,  to  May,  1882,  when  he  became  pastor 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Millersburg,  Kentucky. 
In  September,  1883,  this  relation  was  dissolved  and  Mr. 
Moore  entered  upon  his  duties  as  Instructor  in  Oriental 
Literature  in  Union  Seminary.  At  the  last  meeting  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  this  Institution   held  in   May, 


56  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

1884,  Mr.  Moore  was  unanimously  chosen  Adjunct  Pro- 
fessor of  Oriental  Languages  and  enters  upon  his  duties 
with  the  promise  of  distinguished  efficiency  and  useful- 
ness in  the  church.  It  was  during  his  first  term  of  ser- 
vice at  Swannannoa  Church  when  that  church  exper- 
ienced such  a  precious  work  of  grace,  an  account  of 
which  is  found  in  chapter  IV. ,  on  revivals.  And  it  is  not 
saying-  too  much  when  we  affirm  that  Bro.  Moore  car- 
ried the  hearts  of  the  people  with  him  when  he  left  the 
little  churches  in  the  mountains  of  North  Carolina,  and 
to  this  day  he  is  their  ideal  of  a  devoted  man  of  God 
and  minister  of  His  word.  As  to  his  success  in  Millers- 
burg,  Ky.,  I  cannot  say  anything,  as  I  have  no  data  be- 
fore me;  but  feel  fully  satisfied  that  his  life  and  labors 
there  were  altogether  worthy  of  the  Institution  of  learn- 
ing in  which  he  was  educated  and  the  church  and  Pres- 
bytery which  sent  him  forth  to  his  life-work  with  their 
blessing. 

Rev.  Alfred  J.  Morrison — 

A  member  of  Castunea  Grove  Church — was  received 
by  Mecklenburg  Presbytery,  April  16th,  1874,  and  was 
licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  April  15th,  1875,  and  at 
the  same  time  ordained  evangelist  and  assigned  to  the 
Franklin  field.  Served  the  churches  of  Franklin  and 
Morrison  in  Macon  County,  and  Hiawassee  in  Clay  with 
great  acceptance,  organized  the  church  at  Waynesville, 
November  27th,  1875,  and  having  accepted  a  call  to 
Selma,  Alabama,  was  transfered  to  South  Alabama  Pres- 
bytery December  23rd,  1875,  and  died  July  6th,  1876, 
mourned  over  by  a  large  number  of  grief-stricken  rela- 
tives and  literally  a  host  of  friends  and  admirers.  For  a 
much  fuller  account  of  his  life  and  labors  see  memorials 
in  chapter  VII. 

Rev.  E.  P.  Davis— 

A  member  of  Olney  Church — graduated  at  Davidson 
College  June,  1873,  was  received  as  a  candidate  by 
Mecklenburg  Presbytery  April  17th,  1874,  spent  three 
years  in  Columbia  Seminary  and  was  licensed  at  Wades- 
boro,  N.  C,  April,    1877.     Accepted  calls  to  Hopewell 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  57 

and  Wellington  Churches  in  the  Presbytery  of  South 
Carolina,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  in  the 
fall  of  1877.  In  this  field  large  and  attentive  congrega- 
tions regularly  assembled,  members  were  added  to  the 
churches  every  year,  and  contributions  increased  from 
$25  to  Foreign  Missions  to  $100,  and  from  $20  to  Home 
Missions  to  $125.  This  relation  was  sustained  until  the 
the  fall  of  1883,  when  Bro.  Davis  became  evangelist  of 
Mecklenburg  Presbytery,  and  moved  his  family  to 
Shelby,  Cleaveland  County,  where  his  services  were 
much  needed  and  are  greatly  appreciated.  As  an  evi- 
dence of  this  see  Shelby  Church  in  chapter  II. 

Rev.  John  H.  Dixon— 

A  member  ol  Mallard  Creek  Church — having  grad- 
uated at  the  University  of  North  Carolina  in  1877,  was 
received  as  a  candidate  by  Mecklenburg  Presbytery, 
June  27th,  1877,  received  his  theological  training  at 
Union  Seminary,  and  was  licensed  by  Presbytery  at 
Huntersville  April  16th,  1881.  For  six  months  he  sup- 
plied Rutherfordton  and  Brittain  Churches,  then  in 
charge  of  Rev.  Wm.  M.  McGilvary,  after  which  he  re- 
moved to  South  Carolina,  where  he  served  Limestone 
and  Salem  Churches  in  the  Presbytery  of  Enoree.  He 
began  his  labors  here  January,  1882,  and  remained  until 
September,  1883,  during  which  time  there  were  eight 
persons  added  to  the  churches,  prayer  meetings  were 
attended  with  great  interest  at  Gaffney  City,  and  Sab- 
bath-schools were  organized  where  there  had  been  none 
before.  In  October,  1883,  Mr.  Dixon  became  stated 
supply  of  Munfordville,  Cave  City,  and  Camner 
Churches,  in  Kentucky,  where  he  is  at  present  laboring. 

Rev.  James  L.  Williams — 

Son  of  Rev.  John  C.  Williams,  deceased — was  re- 
ceived as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry  September  17th, 
1877,  and  graduated  at  Davidson  College  June,  1878. 
Having  spent  two  years  at  Columbia  Seminary,  was  li- 
censed by  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg  at  Dallas,  March, 
.1880,  was  ordained  evangelist  August  20th,  1881,  and 
directed  to  labor  in  Anson    County,    North    Carolina. 


58  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

Here  he  labored  with  great  fidelity  and  with  the  promise 
of  marked  success  until  compelled  by  failing  health  to 
surrender  the  work  and  engage  in  secular  pursuits. 
Bro.  Williams's  friends  were  sorely  disappointed  at  this 
sudden  termination  of  his  work,  especially  so  because  of 
its  being  preceded  by  pulpit  efforts  of  a  high  order  of 
merit;  and  to  none  was  this  disappointment  so  great  as 
to  himself.  He  does  not  now  publicly  preach  Jesus  to  a 
lost  world,  simply  because  the  Lord  of  the  Harvest  has 
providently  forbidden  him.  Surely  "Thy  way  is  in  the 
sea  and  thy  path  in  the  great  waters,  and  thy  footsteps 
are  not  known." 


Rev.  Albert  G.  Buckner — 

A  member  of  Red  Oak  Church — was  received  as  a 
candidate  to  the  ministry  October  24th.  1873,  graduated 
at  Davidson  College  June,  1879,  and  at  Union  Semi- 
nary, Virginia,  May,  1882.  Was  ordained  evangelist  at 
Wadesboro,  N.  C,  December  1st,  1882,  and  still  serves 
the  Anson  County  field,  embracing  the  churches  of 
Wadesboro,  Lebanon,  and  Polkton.  Since  entering 
upon  this  work  members  have  been  added  to  the 
Wadesboro  Church,  and  a  degree  of  liberality  has  been 
maintained  not  surpassed  by  any  church  in  Presbytery 
of  proportionate  numbers  and  wealth;  a  new  church  has 
been  organized  at  Polkton,  and  house  of  worship  built. 
In  addition  to  this,  great  improvements  have  been  made 
in  the  Lebanon  Church.  The  old  church  at  Mineral 
Springs,  situated  very  near  the  residence  of  Rev.  James 
E.  Morrison,  was  built  about  the  year  1835.  This 
building  has  been  torn  down  and  moved  one  mile  dis- 
tant to  Morven  Station  on  the  Cheraw  railroad.  There 
it  has  been  reconstructed,  enlarged,  plastered,  painted, 
and  lighted  with  chandeliers  and  reflectors,  thereby 
greatly  increasing  its  attractiveness  and  comfort.  A 
large  and  flourishing  Sabbath-school  has  been  estab- 
lished; members  are  occasionally  added  on  profession*  of 
their  faith;  and  a  number  of  valuable  members  are  set- 
tling here  and  being  transferred  to  this  church.  In  his 
work  at  this  place  the  evangelist  has  the  full  sympathy 
and  hearty  co-operation   of  Rev.  Jas.  E.  Morrison,  who 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  59 

so  long  labored  here,  and  whose  excellent  schools,  sus- 
tained for  a  quarter  of  a  century  or  longer,  has  been  a 
power  for  good  throughout  this  entire  region  of  country. 

ReY.  W.  T.  Matthews— 

A  member  of  Providence  Church — graduated  at 
Erskine  College,  1878,  spent  two  years  at  Columbia 
Seminary,  and  when  that  Institution  was  closed  he  went 
to  Princeton,  and  graduated  there  April,  1881.  Was 
licensed  by  Bethel  Presbytery  April  1880;  ordained  at 
Olivet  Church  October  1881;  installed  pastor  of  Olivet 
Church,  on  the  same  day,  and  installed  pastor  of  Zion 
Church,  Chester  County,  South  Carolina,  October,  9th, 
1 88 1.  At  Olivet  Church,  York  County,  Bro.  Matthews 
has  been  permitted  to  see  fruits  of  his  ministry  as  fol- 
lows: 18  infants  have  been  baptized  and  6  adults;  3 
members  have  been  received  on  certificate,  and  23  on 
profession  of  faith.  At  Zion  Church,  results  as  follows: 
Infant  baptisms,  51 :  adult,  24:  added  on  certificate  7;  on 
-examination  73,  making  a  total  of  about  100  members  in 
the  two  churches  received  on  examination  in  less  than 
years.  In  addition  to  this  there  have  been  marked 
changes  made  in  both  church  buildings,  adding  much  to 
their  appearance  and  comfort. 

Note. — In  placing  Bro.  Matthews  among  our  candi- 
dates, it  is  simply  just  to  say  that  whilst  never  under  the 
care  of  Mecklenburg  Presbytery  he  was  born  and  reared 
within  our  bounds,  and  whilst  in  College  and  Seminary 
was  a  member  of  one  of  our  churches — Providence. 


Wm.  H.  Neel— 

Son  of  elder  A.  G.  Xeel,  of  Steele  Creek  Church — 
was  graduated  from  Davidson  College  June,  1S78,  spent 
several  years  merchandising  in  the  City  of  Charlotte,  en- 
tered Columbia  Seminary,  September,  1882,  labored 
during  the  summer  of  1883  in  Castanea  and  Unity 
Churches,  and  in  Sugar  Creek  Church  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1884,  and  hopes  to  complete  his  Theological 
course  in  May,   1885. 


o 


6o  '<'        HISTORICAL    SKETCH  OF  THE 

Jas.  C.  Gehler  — 

A  member  of  Ramah  Church — was  received  as  a  can- 
didate May  2nd,  1879,  graduated  from  Davidson  Col- 
lege June,  1883,  and  entered  Columbia  Seminary  in  the 
fall  of  1883. 

Jesse  W.  Siler — 

A  member  of  Franklin  Church,  Macon  County — was 
received  as  a  candidate  August  19th,  1881,  and  has  this 
year  (1884)  at  Davidson  College  completed  the  studies 
of  the  junior  year  with  distinction. 

Chalmers  Moore — 

Son  of  Rev.  Wm.  Moore,  deceased,  and  member  of 
the  Franklin  Church — was  received  as  a  candidate  for 
the  ministry  May  12th,  1882,  and  graduated  at  David- 
son College  June,  1884. 

E.  A.  Sample — 

An  elder  in  Hopewell  Church,  Mecklenburg  County — 
was  received  as  a  candidate  May  2nd,  1883,  and  has 
spent  a  part  of  two  sessions  in  preparation  for  the  work 
of  the  ministry  in  Columbia  Seminary. 

M.  A.  Henderson — 

An  elder  of  Castanea  Church,  Gaston  County — was 
received  as  a  candidate  May  2nd,  1883,  and  purposes  to 
complete  his  Theological  studies  at  Columbia  Seminary 
in  May,  1885. 

Wesley  Blain  Justus — 

A  member  of  the  Hendersonville  Church — received 
during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  S.  Taylor  Martin — was 
taken  under  care  of  Mecklenburg  Presbytery  at  Gas- 
tonia,  Nov.  9th,  1883,  and  is  now  in  a  course  of  prepar- 
ation at  WofTord  College,  Spartanburg,  S.  C. 


PRESBYTERY  OF  MECKLENBURG.  6 1 

Eugene  L:  Siler — 

A  member  of  the  Franklin  Church — was  taken  under 
•our  care  at  Mallard  Creek,  May  2nd,  1883,  and  is  now 
very  successfully  prosecuting  his  studies  at  Davidson 
College. 

'  Note. — Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Presbytery  of 
Mecklenburg  has  trained  and  sent  forth  14  of  her  sons  to 
the  great  harvest  field  of  the  world,  and  has  8  others  in 
preparation.  May  the  Lord  of  the  Harvest  give  us  a 
great  company  oi  such  to  be  trained  for  Him  ! 


In  addition  to  these,  the  following  licentiates  from 
other  Presbyteries  have  been  received  and  ordained  by 
Mecklenburg  Presbytery: 

Wm.  H.  Davis,  received  from  Concord  Presbytery, 
October  8th,  1872,  and  ordained  evangelist  on  the  same 
day. 

E.  E.  Ervin,  received  from  Harmony  Presbytery 
April  15th,  1875,  and  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of 
Rutherfordton  and  Brittain  Churches,  September  15th, 
1875. 

Sam'l.  H.  Chester,  received  from  Ouchita  Presby- 
tery December  7th,  1875,  ordained  and  installed  pastor 
of  Castanea  and  Unity  Churches  on  the  same  day. 

G.  S.  Robinson,  received  from  Bethel  Presbytery 
May  1 8th,  1876,  and  on  the  following  day  was  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  of  Pineville  and  Providence 
Churches. 

J.  Wm.  Flinn,  received  from  Charleston  Presbytery 
March  30th,  1877,  and  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of 
Davidson  River  Church  September  15th,  1877. 

Wm.  M.  McGilvary,  received  from  Fayetteville 
Presbytery  June  21st,    1877,   and  was  ordained  and  in- 


62  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

■ 

stalled  pastor  of  Rutherfordton  and  Brittain    Churches* 
June  ist,  1878. 

J.  T.  Plunkett,  received  as  a  licentiate  from  Nash- 
ville Presbytery  April  16th,  1881,  and  ordained  and  in- 
stalled pastor  of  Steele  Creek  Church  June  4th,    1881. 

■ 
Robt.  S.  Brown,  received   from   Elk    Presbytery   of 
the    Cumberland  Presbyterian    Church  May  2nd,    1884, 
and  ordained   evangelist   at   Swannannoa    Church  July~ 
nth,  1884. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


TABULAR  VIEW,  CONTRASTING  THE  PRESBY- 

TERY  IN  1869  WITH  THE  PRESBYTERY 

IN  1884. 


64 


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CHAPTER  VII. 


MEMORIALS  OF    DECEASED   BRETHREN. 


Rev.  Robert  Newton  Davis — 

"TT^AS  born  within  the  bounds  of  Rocky  River 
\\  Church,  August  1 2th,  1818.  His  parents  were 
exemplary  members  of  that  church,  and  con- 
ferred upon  their  family  the  richest  of  all  legacies — 
a  pious  education.  At  an  early  period  he  mani- 
fested great  thirst  for  knowledge  and  a  desire  to 
secure  a  good  education.  He  commenced  his 
classical  education  in  1S32,  at  Rocky  River 
Academy,  then  taught  by  Robert  I.  McDowell. 
After  a '  course  of  studies  for  three  years  at  this 
place,  he  taught  school  to  enable  him  to  meet  the 
expenses  of  a  College  course.  Having  long  and 
earnestly  sought  an  interest  in  the  great  salva- 
tion of  Christ,  he  made  a  public  profession  ot  his 
faith  and  was  added  to  the  church  of  the  fathers, 
May,  1836. 

When  the  exercises  of  Davidson  College  com- 
menced in  July,  1S37.  he  was  among  the  first  stu- 
dents to  enter.  His  course  there  was  a  bright  and 
uniform  illustration  of  those  elements  of  Christian 
character  which  were  developed  in  after  life. 
He  was  diligent  in  his  studies,  irreproachable  in  his 
conduct,  obedient  to  all  the  laws  ol  the  College, 
and  kind  and  courteous  to  his  fellow  students. 
He  graduated  in  August.  1S40.  holding  rank 
among  the  first  members  of  his  class. 

Having  resolved  to  devote  his  life  to  the 
ministry  of  the  gospel,  he  entered  Union  Semi- 
nary. Virginia,  November,  1S40,  where  he  pursued 
a  full  course  of  studies,  and  graduated  with  honor- 
able standing  in  1843.  He  was  licensed  bv  Con- 
Cog} 


JO  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

cord  Presbytery  at  Poplar  Tent  Church  in  the  fall 
of  1843.  In  l844  ne  received  a  call  to  the  church 
at  Warm  Spring,  Virginia,  and  was  installed  pas- 
tor of  said  church.  In  the  same  year  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Elizabeth  Morton,  of  a  good  family  of 
Prince  Edward  County,  Virginia.  After  about  6 
years  of  faithful  and  successful  labor  in  Virginia,  he 
returned  to  his  native  State  and  became  pastor  of 
Lincolnton  and  Long  Creek  Churches  in  1850. 
For  over  twenty  years  he  labored  in  this  field  with 
great  fidelity  and  success,  honored  by  all  classes  of 
society,  and  much  beloved  by  his  own  people.  In 
the  midst  of  his  faithful  labors  he  was  suddenly  at- 
tacked by  a  severe  form  of  disease,  and  after  lin- 
gering for  some  days  under  much  suffering,  he  en- 
tered upon  the  rest  of  God's  children,  April  24th, 
1 87 1,  in  the  52nd  year  of  his  age  and  27th  of  his 
ministry.  As  a  Christian,  Mr.  Davis  was  distin- 
guished not  only  for  the  consistent  performance  of 
the  relative  duties  of  life,  but  for  the  kind  and 
amiable  manners  of  his  social  intercourse.  He 
sought  the  welfare  of  others  with  so  much  modesty, 
humility,  and  benevolence  as  to  gain  their  good 
will;  and  few  men  have  been  more  generallv  be- 
loved by  all  classes  of  society.  As  a  minister,  he 
was  prudent,  unassuming,  and  faithful.  He 
preached  the  great  doctrines  of  the  gospel  in  a 
plain,  affectionate,  and  earnest  manner.  A  cruci- 
fied Saviour  was  the  great  theme  of  his  ministry. 
He  held  the  truth  in  righteousness,  and  was  a  firm 
advocate  of  the  doctrines  of  our  holy  religion  as 
essential  to  godliness.  His  sermons  were  carefully 
prepared,  and  delivered  in  a  persuasive  and  faith- 
ful manner.  The  work  of  the  ministry  was  with 
him  not  a  subordinate  concern,  but  the  great  busi- 
ness of  his  life,  to  which  he  cheerfully  gave  his 
time,  talents,  and  influence.  As  a  member  of  the 
courts  of  the  church  he  was  noted  for  his  punctual 
attendance  upon  their  meetings,  and  for  a  cheerful 
performance  of  all  the  services  demanded ;  and  was 


PRESBYTERY    OF   MECKLENBURG.  7 1 

very  frequently  called  to   make   a  record   of  their 
proceedings. 

When  called  upon  to  mourn  over  the  removal  ot 
a  brother  so  much  beloved  and  so  well  qualified  for 
usetulness,  well  mav  his  co-laborers  in  the  vine- 
yard of  Christ  be  admonished  ol  the  shortness  of 
their  time  and  the  greatness  of  their  work.  The 
voice  of  God's  Providence  often  and  most  solemnly 
confirms  the  merciful  warnings  of  His  Word:  "Be 
ye  steadfast,  immovable,  always  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that 
your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord."  "They 
that  be  wise  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the 
firmament,  and  they  that  turn  many  to  righteous- 
ness as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever. 

R.  H.  Morrison,  )  r 
W.  W.  Pharr,      J  ' 

Read  and  approved  in  Presbytery  at  Long  Creek, 
April  13th,  1872. 

Rev.  James  Scott  Barr— 

Son  of  Samuel  and  Matilda  Barr,  and  grandson 
of  John   Barr,    whose    memoir  is   familiar   in   the 
Christian  households  and    Sabbath-schools    of  the 
church— was  born  in  Rowan   County,  North  Caro- 
lina, September  27th,  1826.     His  parents  were  de- 
votedly pious,  and  trained  their  children  up  at  the 
altar  of  prayer.     His    father,  a  successful   farmer 
and   an   elder   in    Back    Creek    Church,    Concord 
Presbytery,    was  a  strong   advocate    of  thorough 
education';  and  gave  his  sons   not  only  the   advan- 
tage   of  the  best  country  schools,   but  graduated 
them  all  at  Davidson  College.     Scott  Barr  entered 
College  at  the  age  of   16,  and  graduated  with   dis- 
tinction   in    1847.       In    1848    he    united  with  the 
church  of  his    father,    and   being    soon  rally   per- 
suaded of  his  call  to  the  ministry  he  applied  to  and 
was  received  bv  Concord  Presbytery  as  a  candidate 
for  the  ministry  in  1849.   and  went  immediately  to 
Columbia  Seminary.      After  studying   theology  at 


72  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

Columbia    Seminary;    Union   Seminary,    Virginia; 
and  Princeton  Seminary,  he  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  gospel,  July,  1851;  and  having  spent  two  years' 
preaching  in  Iredell  County,    North  Carolina,   he 
removed    to    Arkansas,     where   he   was    ordained 
evangelist,   August,    1856,    by    the    Presbytery    of 
Ouchita,  and  spent  four  years  laboring  in  the  Cam- 
den, Mt  Holly,  and  Scotland  Churches.       He  then 
returned  to   North  Carolina,    and  took  charge  of 
Concord,  Shilo,    and   Salem   Churches,    in   Iredell 
County.     In  1867  and  '68  he   preached   at    Olney 
and  Dallas  Churches    in    Gaston    County,    and   in. 
1870  took  charge  of  Paw  Creek  Church  in  Meck- 
lenburg County,  which  he  served  with  great  fidelity 
in  the  midst  of  great  physical  weakness   until  his 
health    was    finally  destroyed.     He   often    left    his 
home   in    Lincolnton   for   Paw  Creek,   when    only 
with  great  difficulty  he   could  walk   to  the  depot. 
In  the  fall  of  187 1  he  was  compelled  to  desist  from 
preaching.      But  his  pen  was  still  busy,  and  he  was 
a  constant  contributor  to  the  religious  papers  until 
his  death,  which  occurred   February  2nd,  1872,    in 
the  46th  year  of  his  age  and  21st  of  his  ministry.      In 
1855  Bro.  Barr  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Eugenia, 
eldest  daughter  of  Dr.    J.    C.    Rudisill   of  Gaston 
County,  North  Carolina,   who  with  four  children, 
two  sons  and  two  daughters,   survive  and  live  in 
and  near  Lincolnton,  N.  C.     (Since  the  above  was 
written    one  of  Bro.    Barr's   daughters    has    been 
called  to  join  her  dear  father.) 

Rev.  R.  Z.  Johnson,) 
Wm.  H.   Michal.         [■  Com. 
Wm.  Tiddy.  J 

Read  and  approved  in  Presbytery  at  Asheville, 
N.  C,  August  22nd,    1872. 

Ren.  John  Cunningham  Williams — 

Youngest  son  of  Lyddal  Williams,  Esq— was 
born  March  15th  1819,  near  Laurens  C.  H.,  S.  C. 
When    in    his    10th    year   his   father   removed    to 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG. 


Abbeville  district,  and  settled  within  half  a  mile  of 
Due  West.  In  February  of  that  year  he  began 
the  studv  of  Latin  as  a  pupil  of  Rev.  John  S. 
Presslv  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  who 
for  many  years  taught  a  classical  school  at  that 
place,  and  which  eventually  grew  into  what  is  now 
known  as  Erskine  College,  and  has  become  the 
seat  and  center  of  education  for  that  whole  denomi- 
nation in  the  South.  In  April,  1839,  J.  C  Williams 
entered  Athens  College,  Georgia,  but  did  not  re- 
main longer  than  one  session.  In  January,  1S40, 
he  entered  Erskine  College,  and  in  1S42  he  grad- 
uated in  the  1st  class  of  that  Institution,  which  con- 
sisted of  7  ministers,  and  it  augured  well  for  its  fu- 
ture to  say  that  every  member  of  this  class  in  after 
years  became  ministers  of  the  gospel.  During  his 
last  vear  in  College  he  made  a  public  profession  of 
his  faith  in  Christ,  and  was  baptized.  In  May, 
1843,  he  began  his  theolooical  studies  under  Rev. 
Hugh  Dickson  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Barr.  D.D..  as  a 
candidate  for  the  ministry  under  the  care  of  the 
Presbvtery  of  South  Carolina,  and  on  the  27th  of 
April  he  together  with  Jas.  Gibert,  Edmund  An- 
derson, and  C.  B.  Stewart,  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  gospel.  July  2nd,  1844,  Mr.  Williams  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Elizabeth  A.  R. 
Chiles,  a  niece  of  Mrs.  Hugh  Dickson,  whom  they 
had  adopted  and  reared  with  all  the  kindness  and 
affection  of  an  only  daughter.  After  having  served 
other  churches  in  the  Presbytery.  June  1S47.  he 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  Greenville 
Church,  which  had  been  so  long  and  faithfully 
served  by  Rev.  Hugh  Dickson.  In  the  fall  of 
1867  he  made  his  first  visit  to  Hopewell  Church. 
Mecklenburg  County,  North  Carolina,  and 
preached  lor  them  a  few  weeks.  In  October,  1S6S, 
he  united  with  Concord  Presbytery,  and  at  the  same 
time  accepted  a  call  from  Hopewell  Church  and 
was  installed  pastor  October  17th.  1868.  He  had 
not  labored  long  in  his  new  held  until  he  won  the 
4 


74  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

esteem  and  confidence  of  the  entire  congregation. 
He  was  a  shepherd  whose  voice  his  sheep  soon 
learned.  They  harmoniously  united  on  him,  and 
were  ready  to  co-operate  with  him  in  every  wise 
measure  he  recommended  for  the  advancement  of 
the  Redeemer's  Kingdom.  His  labors  were  not 
only  appreciated  but  greatly  blessed  in  the  build- 
ing up  of  Hopewell  Church.  As  a  man  we  might 
say  some  of  the  prominent  features  of  his  character 
were  sincerity  and  integrity  of  heart,  accompanied 
with  genuine  humility — usually  more  ready  to  re- 
ceive counsel  than  to  give  it,  and  showed  more  def- 
erence for  the  opinions  of  others  than  pertinacity 
in  maintaining  and  enforcing  his  own.  As  a  min- 
ister he  was  warm  and  earnest  in  his  pulpit  minis- 
trations, especially  in  his  appeals  to  the  uncon- 
verted. His  discourses  were  usually  marked  by 
strong  sense  and  good  sentiment,  and  in  strict  ac- 
cordance with  the  "truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus."  We 
need  not  say  what  he  was  to  his  family.  There 
his  name  is  as  ointment  poured  out — a  sweet  smell- 
ing savor.  He  still  lives  in  their  hearts,  and  will 
live  forever.  From  his  apparent  strength  and 
vigor  of  constitution  we  might  have  thought  he 
would  have  continued  with  us  for  many  years  lon- 
ger. But  he  has  finished  his  work  and  rested  from 
his  labors:  and  it  may  not  be  amiss  or  unprofitable 
for  us  to  state  how  it  took  place.  In  the  month  of 
July,  1873,  in  the  pulpit,  and  in  his  usual  health, 
just  before  he  had  risen  to  announce  his  text,  he 
was  suddenly  stricken  down  with  paralysis  in  the 
presence  of  his  devoted  congregation,  and  as  they 
thought  death  had  then  done  its  fatal  work.  His 
sermon  for  that  day  was  on  Ps.  xix,  8:  "The  stat- 
utes of  the  Lord  are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart." 
But  the  lips  were  closed,  and  he  was  never  per- 
mitted to  preach  it.  But  he  was  not  to  die  at  this 
time.  His  life  was  spared  for  more  than  a  year, 
and  he  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  converse 
intelligentlv,   to  move  about    with  the  aid   of  his 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG. 


staff,  and  accasionally  he  rode  to  church.  This 
partial  recovery,  however,  was  a  respite  which 
only  excited  hopes  never  to  be  realized;  nor  did  it 
make  the  cup  less  bitter  from  whom  it  must  not 
pass  away.  After  a  long  season  of  watching  and 
waiting  the  end  came.  At  Davidson  College, 
where  he  had  only  recently  removed,  he  suddenly 
passed  away:  and  there  his  body  lies  buried.  He 
died  in  the  56th  year  of  his  age  and  30th  year  of 
his  ministry.  He  is  gone,  but  Jesus  liveth  forever. 
The  stream  is  dried  up,  but  the  fountain  still  flows. 
The  same  hand  that  smites  knows  how  to  soothe 
and  sustain.  His  family  consisting  of  two  sons 
and  two  daughters,  still  survive. 

Rev.  John  Douglass,  Com. 
Read    and   approved     in     Presbytery,     Ramah 
Church,  March  18th,  1875. 


Rev.  Henry  Howard  Banks — 

The  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg  in  sadness  and 
sorrow  places  upon  the  roll  of  its  honored  dead  the 
name  of  its  beloved  co-presbyter  the  Rev.  H.  H. 
Banks.  His  untimely  death  has  vacated  a  sphere 
of  virtue,  honor,  and  usefulness  which  none  but  the 
pure,  the  upright  and  the  true-hearted  are  qualified 
to  occupy.  His  many  virtues,  like  guardian 
angels,  cluster  around  his  memory  and  hallow  it 
forever  in  the  affections  of  his  brethren  and 
friends. 

Henry  Howard  Banks,  son  of  Rev.  A.  R.  Banks 
and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Pratt  Banks,  was  born  May 
16th,  1839,  at  Spring  Hill,  Hemstead  County,  Ark. 
His  early  education  was  by  his  father,  and  his  ac- 
complished mother,  who  was  a  fine  Latin  and 
French  scholar,  and  who  for  12  years  had  charge 
of ''Spring  Hill  Academy"  for  young  ladies.  It 
was  the  death  of  that  faithful  and  beloved  mother 
when  in  his  14th  year  that  occasioned  his  first  re- 
ligious impressions.  After  this  sad  event  he  was 
placed  at  the  school  of  Rev.  Jno.    M.  Hoge,  an  ex- 


76  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

cellent  teacher  and  principal  of  Mt.  Holly  Academy, 
Ark.  Here  he  remained  a  year,  and  then  ac- 
companied his  father  on  a  visit  to  his  mother's  re- 
latives in  the  New  England  States.  On  his  return 
he  spent  a  few  months  in  South  Carolina,  among 
his  father's  relatives.  Here  he  became  the  subject 
of  very  deep  and  powerful  religious  convictions — 
was  taught  by  the  Spirit  his  dependence  as  a  lost 
sinner  for  salvation  upon  the  sovereign  grace  of 
God,  and  being  soundly  and  thoroughly  disciplined 
by  the  law,  was  prepared  to  appreciate  the  sweet- 
ness of  the  gospel  when  he  was  drawn  and  united 
to  Christ  by  the  effectual  operation  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  working  in  him  the  work  of  faith  with  power. 
Here  in  the  summer  of  1854  he  united  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  ( Catholic)  Chester  District, 
South  Carolina,  under  the  ministry  of  his  uncle, 
the  beloved  Wm.  Banks,  whose  long  and  faithful 
pastorate  was  signally  blessed  to  a  large  section  of 
country.  Soon  afterwards  he  entered  Davidson 
College,  pursued  his  studies  with  diligence,  and 
was  graduated  with  distinction.  While  a  student, 
during  one  of  those  revivals  with  which  the  Col- 
lege has  been  so  frequently  blessed,  he  was  led  by 
the  Spirit  to  solemnly  determine  to  devote  his 
life  to  the  gospel  ministry.  His  health  having 
been  impaired  by  too  close  application  to  study,  he 
returned  home  and  spent  a  season  in  recruiting, 
visiting  the  Hot  Springs  and  traveling  over  the 
mountains  of  Arkansas.  Greatly  improved  by 
this  trip,  he  was  able  in  the  fall  of  that  year  to  en- 
ter Columbia  Seminary.  Here  he  remained  two 
years,  until  failing  health  again  compelled  him  m 
the  summer  of  i860  to  return  to  Arkansas  to  re- 
cuperate. In  April,  i860,  he  was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  Presbytery  of  Ouchita  at  Mt  Holly, 
Union  County,  Arkansas.  In  the  fall  of  1861  he 
returned  to  Columbia  Seminary,  and  completed 
his  theological  course.  In  1863  he  entered  the 
Confederate  army  as  Chaplain  of  Jeter's  S.  C.  Bat- 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG. 


// 


tery.  which  was  stationed  at  Asr  eville,  X.  C,  and 
continued  there  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Dur- 
ing that  time,  the  Asheville  Church  having  oc- 
casionally enjoyed  his  ministry,  and  being  then 
vacant,  extended  to  him  a  call  to  become  their 
pastor.  This  call  he  held  for  a  year,  and  finally 
accepted.  In  November,  1865,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Annette  Hawley  of  Asheville, 
who  proved  a  helpmeet  to  him  throughout  his 
ministry — a  solace  and  a  blessing  amidst  the 
anxieties  and  trials  of  declining  health.  In  1866  he 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  Asheville 
Church.  Under  his  faithful  ministry  the  church 
grew  and  prospered.  An  esteemed  elder  gives 
this  testimony  to  his  worth  and  usefulness.  "As 
a  member  of  the  session  of  the  Asheville  Church  I 
was  brought  into  the  closest  intimacy  with  him. 
and  it  was  in  our  meetings  that  the  power  of  the 
man  was  shown.  He  never  failed  to  impress  the 
session  with  the  belief  that  he  was  right  in  all  the 
positions  he  took,  by  the  force  of  his  character  and 
his  clear  logical  reasoning.  During  his  pastorate 
he  introduced  many  fundamental  changes  which 
some  of  us  were  opposed  to,  but  yielded  for  the 
sake  of  experiment.  All  these  proved  just  what  he 
declared  they  would.  He  commanded  the  respect 
and  possessed  the  love  of  every  member,  and  up  to 
"the  time  of  his  deatl  he  wielded  more  influence 
than  any  man  in  it — such  was  the  confidence  all  re- 
posed ii  him.  Not  until  the  day  of  final  reckon- 
ing will  all  the  good  he  accomplished  be  known." 
He  continued  laboring  faithfully  in  Asheville  until 
November.  1S71,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  Mur- 
fresboro.  Tennessee,  where  he  remained  until 
December,  1873,  when  failing  health,  induced  by  a 
climate  unfavorable  to  one  predisposed  to  pulmon- 
ary affections,  compelled  him  to  resign.  Unable 
to  preach  but  unwilling  to  be  unemployed,  he  ac- 
cepted the  agency  of  Davidson  College,  and  by 
travel  and    intercourse  with   his  brethren  in   differ- 


78  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

ent  States  he  labored  to  the  utmost  of  his  ability, 
and  often  beyond  his  ability,  to  promote  the  inter- 
est of  that  Institution.  While  engaged  in  this 
work  his  home  was  a  part  of  the  time  in  the  Char- 
lotte Female  Institute,  then  under  the  administra- 
tion of  his  devoted  friend,  Rev.  S.  Taylor  Martin. 
Whilst  here  he  was  called  for  the  secoad  time  to 
drink  of  the  bitter  cup  of  affliction,  in  the  death  of 
a  beloved  child.  Two  promising  little  boys  re- 
main; let  them  ever  have  a  place  in  the  sympathy, 
love,  prayers,  and  watchful  care  of  the  Presbytery. 
Subsequently  he  removed  to  Asheville,  where  in 
his  declining  condition  he  was  tenderly  ministered 
to  by  the  the  loving  members  of  his  former  charge, 
and  pre-eminently  by  Rev.  J.  P.  Gammon,  who 
had  succeeded  him  as  the  Shepherd  of  his  favorite 
flock,  and  who  has  given  a  touching  account  of 
the  closing  scene.  His  end  was  peace.  The  clouds 
that  a  few  weeks  before,  through  the  depressing  in- 
fluences of  exhausting  disease,  had  overshadowed, 
were  all  dissipated;  and  the  peace  of  God,  which 
passeth  understanding^  kept  his  heart  and  mind. 
''I  am  resting  on  the  promises  of  God,"  said  he. 
When  told  that  an  aged  christian  then  near  his 
end  regarded  him  as  the  instrument  of  his  conver- 
sion, he  replied,  "I  ought  to  be  glad  to  hear  this, 
and  I  do  rejoice ;  but, ' '  bursting  into  tears,  he  added, 
"in  this  trying  season  I  desire  to  think  of  nothing 
I  have  ever  done,  no  sermon  I  have  ever  preached, 
no  prayer  I  have  ever  offered,  no  feeling  of  joy  I 
have  ever  experienced — but  of  Jesus  oiily.  I  wish 
to  lose  sight  of  self.  I  want  to  press  my  Saviour 
to  my  naked  heart,  and  feel  my  complete  and  en- 
tire dependence  upon  Him.  I  want  to  be  nothing, 
nothing  at  all.  I  want  Him  to  have  a// the  glory." 
He  often  expressed  his  desire,  if  it  war  the  Lord's 
will,  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ.  The  word  of 
God  became  increasingly  precious  to  him.  He 
called  for  the  63rd  chapter  of  Isaiah,  the  3rd  of 
John's  gospel  and  the  last  chapter  of  Revelation, 


PRESBYTERY  OF  MECKLENBURG. 


79 


describing  the  glories  of  the  Celestial  City.  He 
requested  his  ministerial  brethren  present  to  sing 
his  favorite  hymns — "Jesus  paid  it  all,"  "How 
firm  a  foundation,"  Rock  of  Ages  cleft  for  me"  — 
and  when  these  lines  in  the  last  verse  were  reached, 

"Nothing  in  my  hand  I  bring, 
Simply  to  thy  cross  I  cling," 

he  waved  his  thin  wasted  hands  towards  Heaven, 
and  bowed  his  head  thrice  with  a  sweet  smile,  and 
then  exclaimed:  ,lOh  that  is  so  refreshing — so 
precious,  so  precious  !"  On  the  day  of  his  death 
he  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  his  family,  speak- 
ing to  each  one  words  of  love  and  counsel.  Being 
asked  if  all  was  well  with  him,  he  replied:  "I  am 
at  peace:  I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am 
persuaded  that  He  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I 
have  committed  to  Him  against  that  day."  Very 
sweetly  and  peacefully  he  tell  asleep  in  Jesus  at  10 
o'clock  at  night,  August  16th,  1878. 

A.  W.  Miller,  D.D.  i 


S.  T.   Martin, 
W.  H.  Davis, 
J.  P.  Gammon, 
Read  and  approved  in   Presbytery 
May  3rd,  1879. 


Com. 


at  Castanea, 


Rev.  John  Douglas — 

Son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Douglas — was  born 
in  Chester  County,  South  Carolina,  October  10th, 
1809,  was  graduated  from  South  Carolina  College, 
Columbia,  S.  C,  1830,  and  about  one  year  after- 
wards confessed  Christ  before  men  and  united  with 
the  Purity  Presbyterian  Church.  And  no  sooner 
had  he  acknowledged  the  rightful  claims  of  Christ 
upon  him  than  he  felt  constrained  to  preach  His 
gospel.  Therefore  in  a  few  months  after  he  had 
completed  his  literary  course  he  entered  the  Col- 
umbia Seminary,  where  he  remained  three  years. 
In  April,  1835,  he  was  licensed  by  Bethel  Presby- 
tery at  Bethel  Church,  York   County,    S.    C. ,   and 


Bga^»iWiim»y  i'  wn  uurnmh  nam 

So  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

on  the  30th  of  April,  1836,  he  was  ordained  and 
installed  pastor  of  Purity  and  Concord  Churches. 
In  May,  1837,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Francis  Marchant,  daughter  of  P.  T.  Marchant, 
Esq.,  of  Charleston,  S.  C.  Having  performed 
eleven  years'  service  in  the  above-named  churches, 
he  removed  to  James  Island,  near  Charleston,  S. 
C,  and  became  pastor  of  the  James  Island  Church 
in  the  Presbytery  of  Charleston.  Here  he  spent 
15  of  the  busiest  years  of  his  life,  not  only  watch- 
ing for  the  souls  of  the  whites  of  his  congregation, 
but  in  faithfully  ministering  to  several  hundred 
negroes,  among  whom  he  was  greatly  esteemed 
and  permitted  to  rejoice  over  the  fruits  of  his 
labors  in  many  precious  ingatherings.  All  the 
year  round  he  held  a  special  service  for  their  bene- 
fit, and  in  the  spring  frequently  preached  a  second 
sermon  for  them  on  some  of  the  neighboring  plan- 
tations. Here  Mr.  Douglas  was  happy,  for  he 
was  busy — busy  doing  a  great  work  for  Christ, 
and  was  content  to  remain  for  life.  But  he  was 
not  permited  to  thus  remain.  All  his  well  laid 
plans  were  frustrated  and  his  fondest  hopes  blasted 
by  his  peaceful  home  and  precious  charge  becom-, 
ing  the  theater  of  a  great  civil  war.  The  first  gun 
fired  in  this  memorable  strife  was  within  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  yards  of  his  door,  and  soon  desola- 
tion and  destruction  began  to  spread  over  the  Is- 
land, and  the  man  of  God  fared  no  better  than  his 
people.  His  house  was  soon  dismantled,  its  foun- 
dations dug  into  rifle-pits,  and  his  church  burnt  in-: 
to  ashes.  In  1861  nearly  every  family  left  the  Is-; 
land  under  military  order.  But  Mr.  Douglas,  re- 
luctant to  leave  his.  post,  continued  to  minister  to 
the  remnant  of  his  flock  and  the  different  military 
forces  encampedvbn  the  Island.  Nor  did  he  quit 
his  field  of  labor  uintil  he  had  buried  his  last  ruling., 
elder  and  had  gathered  up  from  the  field  of  battle 
the  lifeless  remains  of  nearly  all  the  yoi  ng  men  of 
his  congregation,    and  the  few  surviving  members- 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG 


81 


of  his  flock  were  scattered  as  refugees  throughout 
the  country.  Now,  without  a  church  and  without 
a  home.  Mr.  Douglas  was  not  idle,  but  labored 
constantly  under  the  committee  of  the  General  As- 
sembly among  the  troops  along  the  coast  from 
Sayannah  to  Charleston.  The  war  haying  at  last 
ended,  in  the  fall  of  1865.  upon  invitation  he  visited 
and  preached  for  Steele  Creek  Church  in  this  Pres- 
bytery, and  in  January  following  began  the  supply 
of  Steele  Creek  and  Pleasant  Hill  Churches.  At  a 
meeting  of  Concord  Presbytery  held  at  Providence 
Church,  May  3rd.  1866,  he  was  received  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Charleston,  and  on  6th  of  July,  1867, 
was  installed  pastor  of  Steele  Creek  and  Pleasant 
Hill,  in  which  capacity  he  continued  to  labor  until 
the  day  of  his  death. 

In    all    the    range    of  our  acquaintance  we    can 
scarcely  cite  a  more  successful  pastorate.      Divisions 
which  threatened  to  rend  the  largest  of  the  churches 
were  soon  healed,  and  peace  and  harmony  fully  re- 
stored.     Such  was  the  power  of  the  Spirit  attend- 
ing the  gospel  in  this  held  that  he  was  permitted 
during  the  13  years  of  his  pastorate  to  baptize   372 
infants  and  to  receive   368  members  into   full  com- 
munion.     But  this    by    no    means    represents    his 
life-work.        Let    it   be   remembered    that    he  was 
nearly  60  years  old  when  his   work   began  in  this 
charge.     Doubtless  if  the  members  received  during 
his  30  years'  work  in  Bethel  and  Charleston  Presby- 
teries were  added  to    the  above    sum,    the    whole 
number  would  exceed  1,000.      One  thousand  souls 
for    Christ!    Brethren,   think  of    it— 1,000 trophies 
of     almighty     grace — 1,000     stars     to      stud    the 
crown  of  his  rejoicing — 1,000  witnesses   before  the 
throne  to  testify  to  his  fidelity  and  to   rise  up  and 
call    him    blessed!     In  full  view  of  eternity  upon 
which  we  are  all  so  soon  to  enter,  how  insignificant 
and  contemptible  must    the    schemes,     ambitions, 
and  boasted    deeds  of  godless    men  appear  when 
contrasted  with  such  a  work  !      In  such  contrast 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH  OF  THE 

what  is  political  preferment,  literary  laurels,   martial 
renown  or  exhaustless  means  of  wealth  but  so  much 
spended  trash  ?      And  what  shall  be  said  of  the  last 
scene  ?     For  some  months  previous  to  his  death 
his  health  had  manifestly  declined.      Although  un- 
well,   a  meeting  of  the  Board  of .  Directors  of  Col- 
umbia Seminary  being  called,  he  felt  it  to  be  his 
duty  to  attend  in   order  if  possible  to  relieve  that 
Institution    of    pecuniary     embarrassment    which 
threatened  to  close  its  doors.       Having  returned 
home,   he  preached   at  Steele    Creek  on  Sunday, 
and  the  next  week  he  availed  himself  of  the  oppor- 
tunity of  attending  a  meeting  of  the   Associate  Re- 
formed  Synod  of  the  South,    then    in  session   at 
Union  Church,    Chester  County,   South  Carolina, 
and  of  visiting  once    more   the   graves   of  his  de- 
[  parted  kindred.     On  Sabbath  following  he  preached 
at  Steele  Creek  from  Gall.  vi.  19:  "In  Christ  Jesus 
neither  circumcision  availeth  anything  nor   uncir- 
cumcision,  but  a  new  creature."     This  was  his  last 
sermon.     Monday  and  Tuesday  of  the  week  fol- 
lowing, though  scarcely  able  to  ride,   he  visited    a 
number  of  sick  families,  and  on  Thursday  mornino- 
was  confined  to  his  bed.     Though  now  prostrated 
with   disease  he  called  for  his  sermons  and   read 
them  in  preparation    for  a  communion  service  at 
Pleasant  Hill.     But  not  again  was  he  permitted   to 
visit  this  branch  of  his  charge;    for   when    Sabbath 
came  it  was   his  last  Sabbath   on   earth,    and  well 
nigh  his  last  day.      Steadily  growing  worse    he    si- 
lently, peacefully,  passed  away,  Wednesdav  morn- 
ing October  8th,  1879,  at  half  past  3  o'clock,  in  the 
70th  year  of  his  age  and  the  44th   of  his   ministry. 
On  the  day  following  a  very  large  assembly   of 
his  own  smitten,  sorrowing  people,    friends  of  the 
community  and   members    of  the  Associate    Re- 
formed Church,  met  at  Steele  Creek  Church,    and 
listened  to  a  very  appropriate  funeral  discourse  bv 
Rev    A.   W.   Miller,   D.D.,     from  John    xvii.    24: 
Father  I  will  that  they  also  whom  thou  hast  given 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG. 


83 


me  be  with  me  where  I  am  that  they  may  behold 
my  glory  which  thou  hast  given  me."  He  now 
sleeps  in  the  church-yard  at  Steele  Creek,  in  the 
midbt  of  a  great  company  of  Christ's  precious 
dead,  among  whom  are  not  less  than  six  other 
ministers  of  the  gospel,  leaving  to  our  sympathy 
and  care  an  aged  widow  who  by  her  rare  intelli- 
gence and  piety  greatly  promoted  her  husband's 
happiness  and  usefulness. 

Wm.  E.  McIlwain,  ) 
Wm.  B.   Corbett.     -  Com. 
A.  G.  Neel,  \ 

Read  and  approved  in  Presbytery,  Dallas,  March 
20th,  1880. 


Rev.  Wm.  Macolm  McGilvary — 

Was  born  within  the  bounds  of  Buffalo  congre- 
gation in  Moore  County,  North  Carolina,  February 
27th,  1847.  His  early  years  were  spent  amid  the 
quiet  scenes  of  a  country  home.  He  became  a 
communicant  of  the  church  upon  confession  of 
faith,  October  14th,  1S65.  Having  been  prepared 
for  a  Collegiate  course,  he  pursued  his  studies  at 
Davidson  College,  from  which  Institution  he  was 
graduated  in  1S72.  After  teaching  school  for  one 
vear  near  home,  he  entered  Union  Theological 
Seminary  in  1S73,  and  completed  the  three  years 
course.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  in 
company  with  four  others,  April  22d,  1S76,  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Fayetteville,  at  Center  church.  His 
Presbvtery  during  the  same  meeting  at  which  he 
was  licensed  granted  him  leave  to  labor  without 
its  bounds  lor  a  year;  this  time  was  spent  in 
Roanoke  Presbytery  in  charge  of  the  churches  of 
Bethlehem,  Butfalo  and  Pampliss.  On  the  19th  of 
April  he  was  dismissed  to  the  care  of  Mecklenburg 
Presbytery.  After  serving  the  churches  of  Ruther- 
fordton  and  Little  Brittain  for  one  year,  he  ac- 
cepted their  call  to  become   their  pastor,    and   was 


H 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH  OF  THE 


ordained  and  installed  by  that    Presbytery  through 
a  commission  June  ist,  1878. 

His  labors  in  this  field  were  eminently  blessed. 
From  the  very  first  the  Lord  set  the  seal  of  His 
blessing  upon  the  work.      A    short    time    after    he 
entered  upon  his  work  the  writer  of  this  was  called 
upon  to  assist  him  in  a  communion  service  at   Lit- 
tle Brittain.      The    presence    of  God's   Spirit  was 
manifested  in  great  power   from    the    first   service. 
By  Sabbath:  the  meetings  of  session  were    crowded 
by  church   members  and   non-communicants  seek- 
ing instruction  and   comfort.      Being   called   home 
on  Monday  hy  the  serious  sickness  of  a  member  of 
my  family,  I  urged  Bro.  McGilvary  to  continue  the 
meeting   alone.      This    he   did   during   the   whole 
week,  and  then  sent  for  Father  Paxton,  who  came 
over  and  administered  the    communion    again    the 
next  Sabbath,  when  about    20  souls  were   received 
into    the    communion    of  the  church-     Backsliders 
were  restored,   careless  members   quickened,    and 
all  God's  people  refreshed.       After  history  has  de- 
monstrated that  it  was   a  genuine    work    of  grace. 
Both    the    churches    were    strengthened  and  in    a 
marked  degree  developed  in  spirituality  during  his 
pastorate.      An  aggregate  addition  of  53   souls  was 
made  to  the  membership  of  the   two  churches  dur- 
ing his   ministry.       His  last  work  in  that  field,  and 
one  in  which  he  took  great   delight,  was  the  erect- 
ing a  house  of  worship  in  Rutherfordton.     To  this 
work  he  devoted  most  of  his  time,  and    into    it    he 
threw  all  the  energy  and  strength  of  his  last  days. 
Possessed  of  excellent  judgment  and  taste  in  such 
matters,  and  being  an  expert   with    tools,    he   was 
qualified  to  plan  and  see  to    the    execution    of  the 
work.      When    scarcely    able    to    move    about    he 
would   slowly    make   his   way    out    to    the   church 
building  just  back  of  the  parsonage  where  he  lived, 
and  sitting  down  he  would  watch  with  deep   inter- 
est the  development  of  the  work   according  to   the 
model  which  he  had  with    great  care  and    patience 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG. 


8 1 


elaborated.  The  beautifully  proportioned  building 
stands  to-day  with  its  graceful  spire  pointing 
heavenward,  and  fitly  tells  the  story  of  his  life-work 
and  of  its  glorious  end. 

Brother  McGilvary  '  'was  the  descendant  of  a  line 
of  ancestors  known  and  respected  and  honored  for 
their  piety,  intelligence,  and  sturdy  integrity,  pos- 
sessing the  distinguishing:  traits  of  Highland  Scotch 
character.  His  father  is  a  well  known  elder  in 
Buffalo  church,  Mr.  Evander  McGilvary."  "His 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Mclver;  his  uncle  is 
the  veteran  missionary  to  Siam  and  Laos,  the  Rev. 
Daniel  McGilvary.  D.D."  He  was  a  man  of  great 
gentleness  of  manner,  yet  as  firm  as  a  rock  in  the 
path  of  duty.  The  elders  safely  trusted  in  him  as 
a  strong  and  prudent  counselor;  the  children  were 
devoted  to  him,  drawn  by  the  kindness  and  sweet- 
ness of  his  manner.  He  had  a  big  warm  heart 
and  a  magnetic  grip  of  the  hand  which  mightily 
drew  and  firmly  held  his  friends  in  loving  allegiance 
to  him.  To  quote  from  one  who  knew  and  loved 
him  well:  "He  was  genuinely  and  unaffectedly 
modest,  more  free  from  vanity,  and  setting  a  lower 
estimate  on  his  powers  than  any  one  I  know.  He 
had  no  use  for  Diotrephes  and  never  sought  pre- 
eminence. He  was  clear-headed,  of  good  abilities, 
conscientious  in  study,  and  a  man  of  positive  con- 
victious,  growing  influence  and  acknowledged 
worth.  He  had  that  which  in  oratory  we  call  re- 
serve power.  One  always  felt  in  hearing  him  that 
he  was  a  capital  preacher,  but  that  there  was  plen- 
ty of  the  same  stun  in  him  still — that  he  had  by  no 
means  exhausted  the  mind.  I  always  felt,  myself, 
that  he  had  not  reached  the  acme  of  his  own 
power,  and  thought  it  was  due  to  a  distrust  of 
himself  coupled  with  an  abhorrence  of  all  sham 
and  'making  out."  When  at  times  swept  along 
by  a  warm  current  of  feeling,  and  his  mind  aglow 
and  active  (for  he  usually  preached  extempore),  he 
would    speak  so   as    to    move    the    multitude    and 


86  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

would  give  the  promise  and  the  fruit  of  true  ora- 
tory." He  was  happily  married  in  December, 
1877,  to  Miss  Annie  Harrington.  The  fruit  of  his 
marriage  was  one  little  daughter.  The  little  one 
has  since  been  taken  by  the  Shepherd  up  to  where 
her  father  rests  in  the  presence  of  God,  and  the 
wife  and  mother  is  now  a  widow  and  childless . 

Wm.  H.  Davis,  Com. 
Read  and  approved  in  Presbytery,  Steele  Creek, 
May  2nd,  1884. 

Note. — These  memorials  are  only  extracts  from 
the  Presbytery's  Book  ot  Memorials. 


Rev.  Alfred  James  Morrison — 

Son  of  Rev.  R.  H.  Morrison,  D.D. — was  born 
December  1st,  1849,  graduated  at  Davidson  Col- 
lege, June,  1869,  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1870.  Was  elected  to  the  legislature 
from  Lincoln  County  and  served  during  the  ses- 
sions of '72  aud  '73,  until  March,  when  he  resigned 
for  the  purpose  of  giving  his  life  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  and  went  immediately  to  Union  Semi- 
nary, Virginia,  where  he  spent  two  years.  In 
February,  1875,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Portia 
Lee,  daughter  of  Rev.  Dr.  Atkinson,  then  Presi- 
dent of  Hampden  Sidney  College.  Was  licensed 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg  at  Hopewell 
church,  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C,  April,  1875, 
and  at  the  same  time  was  ordained  evangelist  and 
assigned  to  the  Franklin  field,  Macon  Co. ,  N.  C. 
Here  he  labored  with  great  zeal  and  acceptance, 
winning  alike  the  hearts  of  young  and  old,  until 
December,  1875,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  the 
First  Church,  Selma,  Ala.  He  began  his  labors 
there  January  1st,  1876.  As  to  how  he  was  re- 
ceived there,  in  what  esteem  he  was  held  by  every 
one,  and  what  a  deep  sorrow  filled  every  heart  at 
the   startling   news    of  his  death  in  a  distant  city, 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  87 

let  this  be  told  by  the  tender  and  beautifnl  memor- 
ial tribute  of  the  Selma  church  : 

"Bro.  Morrison  left  us  a  month  ago  in  fine  health 
and  spirits  for  a  three  weeks'  trip  to  Hot  Springs, 
Ark. ,  expecting  to  receive  there  a  speedy  cure  for 
a  slight  throat  affection  which  had  troubled  him  for 
a  year  past.  Whilst  there  he  was  taken  sick 
and  started  homeward.  At  Memphis,  Tennessee, 
it  was  thought  best  that  he  should  stay  to  recuper- 
ate. There  in  the  home  of  his  relative,  Col.  C  C. 
Graham,  he  received  all  the  loving  care  possible, 
and  from  Dr.  Erskine  and  others  all  the  medical 
attention  that  culture  and  medical  skill  could  sug- 
gest; but  the  shaft  of  the  archer  had  been  sent  with 
fatal  precision,  and  he  sank  rapidly  until  the  angel 
of  death  revealed  to  him  the   'king  in  His  beauty. ' 

"To  us,  bereft  of  a  pastor,  a  real  friend,  a  true 
shepherd,  and  knowing  as  we  do  the  peculiar  sor- 
row of  his  young  wife,  unable  to  attend  him  in  his 
last  moments,  this  blow  is  a   heavv  bereavment. 

"When  the  telegraph  announced  the  sad  tidings 
yesterday  all  hearts  were  saddened,  and  last  night 
at  our  prayer- meeting  the  congregation  showed  in 
every  face  the  shadow  of  a  great  loss.  At  the  close 
of  the  meeting  the  leader  called  on  deacon  W.  R. 
Nelson  for  some  expression  in  regard  to  Bro.  Mor- 
rison, when  he  made  the  following  remarks  beau- 
tifully expressive  of  the  feelings  of  all :  'Brethren, 
we  have  met  to  night  as  is  our  wont,  to  orTer  our 
feeble  supplications  to  our  Father  in  Heaven;  but 
our  meeting  is,  by  reason  of  what  has  transpired 
to-day,  under  peculiar  circumstances.  The  great 
God  in  His  infinite  wisdom  has  taken  from  us  our 
undershepherd.  He  who  for  a  few  short  months 
past  has  been  breaking  to  us  the  the  bread  of  life, 
who  has  prayed  with  and  for  us,  who  has  minis- 
tered to  some  of  us  in  times  of  affliction,  who  has 
likewise  rejoiced  with  many  of  us  both  in  our  spir- 
itual and  temporal  blessings,  whose  heart  has  "re- 
cently been  made  glad  at  what  he  believed  was  the 


I 


\ 


88  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

genuine  new  birth  of  many  of  our  number,  has 
been  called  awav — not  suddenly,  and  yet  so  unex- 
pectedly— to  join  the  host  that  worship  around  the 
great  white  throne.  This  is  perhaps  no  fit  time 
for  eulogy ;  our  grief  is  too  fresh,  our  sorrow  is  too 
real,  our  hearts  are  too  full  of  genuine  sympathy 
for  our  brother's  sorrowing  widow,  upon  whom 
God's  afflicting  hand  seems  to  rest  most  heavily; 
and  yet  we  cannot,  it  seems  to  me,  let  the  occasion 
pass'  without  expressing  something  of  the  grief 
that  rills  all  our  hearts.  It  was  my  privilege  to 
have  known  our  beloved  pastor  socially.  I,  in 
common  with  many  others,  felt  drawn  to  him;  I 
loved  him;  but  even' if  I  was  capable  of  doing  so, 
after  but  the  few  moments  of  reflection  that  I  have 
had,  I  could  not  begin  to  express  in  appropriate 
words  the  virtues,  the  piety,  the  practical  judgment, 
the  tender,  loving,  sympathizing  nature,  but  above 
all  the  total  consecration  to  the  work  of  his  Master, 
of  our  beloved  brother.  There  was  that  in  his  life 
and  bearing  so  modest,  so  unpretending  and  pure, 
that  even  when  he  is  dead  "the  tongue  is  checked 
in  pronouncing  too  freely  the  eulogium  suggested 
by  his  eminent  virtues."  The  gentle  dignity  of  his 
private  character  white  living  in  our  midst,  as  well 
as  his  zeal  and  active  Christian  work  among  our 
people,  both  in  and  out  of  his  pulpit,  had  already 
exerted  a  wonderful  influence  for  good  upon  the 
people  of  this  community,  and  more  particularly 
among  the  young  of  both  sexes.  To  the  little 
children  "he  was  as  the  spring  time  flower,"  car- 
rying with  him  wherever  he  went  the  sweet  per- 
fume of  his  humble  yet  bright  and  joyous  christian 
character.  To  the  middle  aged  "he  was  as  the 
Summer  to  the  ripening  grain;"  they  had  learned 
to  listen,  to  love  and  appreciate  the  mature  words 
of  counsel  he  so  often  gave  them  concerning  the 
things  of  eternity.  To  the  old  "he  was  as  the  Au- 
tumn sun  to  the  vintage  yielding  in  generous  muni- 
ficience  the  wine  of  goodness;"    his  words  oi  cheer 


PRESBYTERY  OF  MECKLENBURG. 


S9 


and  comfort  to  them  were  indeed  the  impression 
of  a  heart  full  of  love  and  tenderness  towards  the 
true  sheep  of  the  fold  of  the  great  Shepherd.  To 
the  dying  his  spirit  and  his  unsullied  life  "were  as 
the  trackless  snows  that  extended  onward  and  up- 
ward to  the  invisible  heights  whither  he  went  with 
them  hand  in  hand  until  they  were  lost  to  earth, 
sense,  and  sight."  As  a  pastor  he  comforted  the 
bereaved  and  afflicted.  He  was  not  unmindful  of 
the  poor:  he  seemed  to  be  especially  full  of  love 
and  tenderness  to  them :  those  whom  others  neg- 
lected shared  in  his  kindly  attentions.  But  we  do 
not  mourn  as  those  who  refuse  to  be  comforted. 
We  know  and  feel  that  our  loss  is  his  gain ;  his 
spirit  lives  in  the  presence  of  the  God  whom  he  de- 
lighted to  serve.'  '  In  care  of  elder  James  H. 
Franklin  of  the  Selma  Church,  Bro.  Morrison's  re- 
mains were  conveved  from  Memphis  to  Charlotte, 
X.  C. .  and  from  thence  to  Machpelah  Church  in 
Lincoln  County,  where  alter  a  suitable  discourse 
by  Rev.  A.  W.  Miller,  D.D..  they  were  laid  in  the 
tomb  beside  his  mother  and  other  dear  relatives. 


Note. — Whilst  Bro.  Morrison  had  been  trans- 
ferred from  this  Presbyterv  to  that  of  South  Ala- 
bama Presbytery,  I  learned  from  Rev.  Dr.  Hooper, 
his  successor,  that  he  had  never  been  received  by 
South  Alabama  Presbytery,  and  therefore  being  a 
member  of  this  Presbytery  at  his  death  I  give  space 
for  his  memorial  among  those  of  our  deceased 
brethren. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


GENERAL  STATISTICS. 


THE  first  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
was  organized  in  Philadelphia  about  the  year 
1700.  Four  others  on  the  Eastern  shore  of  Maryland 
were  organized  about  the  same  time. 

The  first  Presbytery  was  formed  in  1705;  and  con- 
sisting of  7  ministers,  4  of  whom  were  from  Ireland,  2 
from  Scotland,  and  1  from  New  England;  and  was 
styled  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia. 

In  1841  this  Presybtery  was  divided  into  4,  and  thefirst 
Synod  was  formed  and  known  as  the  Synod  of  Philadel- 
phia. In  1879  this  Synod  was  divived  into  4  others, 
known  as  the  Synods  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey, 
Philadelphia,  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas. 

The  first  General  Assembly  met  in  Philadelphia  on 
the  3d  Thursday  of  May,  1879,  and  was  opened  with  a 
sermon  by  Rev.  John  Witherspoon  from  the  text,  "So, 
then,  neither  is  he  that  planteth  anything;  neither  is  he 
that  watereth:  but  God  giveth  the  increase." 

This  General  Assembly  met  the  same  year  that  the 
constitution  of  the  U.  S.  was  put  into  operation  and 
Washington  was  inaugurated  first  President.  The 
first  General  Assembly  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church  met  in  Augusta,  Georgia,  in  1861;  and  in  1866, 
when  for  the  first  time  full  and  accurate  statistics  were 
received,  there  were  reported  10  Synods,  44  Presbyter- 
ies, 881  ministers  and  licentiates,  1282  churches,  66,528 
communicants,  and  about  $500,000  contributed  for  all 
objects.  Now  (1884)  there  are  13  Synods,  68  Presby- 
teries, 1,133  ministers  and  licentiates,  234  candidates, 
1,993  churches,  131,258  communicants,  81,633  pupils  in 
Sabbath-schools,   and  contributions  reported  amounting 

(90) 


PRESBYTERY    OF    MECKLENBURG.  9 1 

to  not  less  than  $1,398,629:  whilst  in  the  different 
branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  there  92  Synods, '556  Presbyteries,  1,282  pastoral 
charges,  10,  no  ministers,  894  licentiates,  44,545  elders, 
9,098  deacons,  119, 197  Sabbath-schoolteachers,  1.007.- 
^78  pupils  and  teachers  in  Sabbath-schools,  1,231,377 
communicants,  and  annual  contributions  for  all  purposes 
amounting  to  more  than  fifteen  millions  ($15,000,000) 
of  dollars,  which  is  an  average  of  more  than  Si  2  per 
member;  whilst  carefully  prepared  statistics  laid  before 
the  late  council  of  the  Presbyterians  of  the  world  held  in 
Belfast,  Ireland,  revealed  the  fact  that  there  are  now  in 
the  world  not  less  than  186  Synod?,  1,207  Presbyteries, 
23.821  pastoral  charges,  21,251  ministers,  101,180  elders, 
58,610  deacons,  2, 173 licentiates,  21,657  Sabbath-schools, 
55,823  Bible-classes^  212,734  Sabbath-school  teachers. 
i?645"i77  pupils  and  teachers,  6,750,460  communicants 
and  Presbyterian  adherent,  amounting  to  40,000.000  or 
50,000,000.  The  Presbyterians  ol  the  world  give  not 
less  than  one  hundred  millions  of  dollars  annually  to 
sustain  the  gospel  at  home  and  to  send  it  abroad  to  the 
heathen.  Does  this  look  like  they  are  dying  out  ?  If 
so  oh  for  more  such  death  ! 


=BIXGHAM  SCHOOL= 

GSiJABIilSHBD  IN    1703. 

An  English,  Classical,  Mathematical,  Commercial  and  Scien- 
tific Academy,  with  a  Military  Organization. 
Is  PRE-EMINENT  among  Southern  Boarding  Schools  for  bovs  in  AGE,  fr 
numbers,  in  area  OF  patronage  and  in  equipment  for  physicai 
•CULTURE. 

The   181st  Session  begins  July   30th,    1884. 

For  catalogue,  giving  full  particulars,  address 

MAJ.  R.  BINGHAM,  Sup't. 
Bingham  School  P.  O.,  Orange  Co.,  X.  C. 

During  1883  there  were  256  pupils  in  attendance,  145  from  Nortl 
Carolina,  and  111  attracted  from  other  States  by  the  reputation  of  thl 
School.  Of  the  in  from  other  States  30  are  from  Florid  a,  22  are  fron 
South  Carolina  and  13  are  from  Texas. 

Bingham's  is   the  only  School  for  Boys  in  the  South   with   Gas-light, 
grst-class  Gymnasium,  presided  over  by  a  skilled  instructor,   and   a  stean 
heated  Bath  house, 

TWENTY-THREE  LOCALITIES  HAVE   BEEN    REPRESENTED  WITHIN    THI 

LAST    FIVE    YEARS. 

TWENTY  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  AS  FOLLOWS. 


Alabama, 

Arkansas, 

District  of  Columbia, 

Florida, 

Georgia, 

Illinois, 

Kansas, 


Louisiana, 
Massachusetts, 
Mississippi, 
New  York, 
North  Carolina, 
Pennsylvania, 
South  Carolina, 


Tennessee, 

Texas, 

Vermont, 

Virginia, 

West  Virginia, 

Wisconsin. 


THREE  FOREIGN  COUNTRIES  AS  FOLLOWS: 
South  America,  (  Brazil  1.  Europe,  (Scotland).  Asia,  (Siaml 

T<  >TALS. 

For  the  year  ending  December  15th,  1876 io, 

15th.  1877 12; 

Uh. 1378  


June 


15th,  1879 
ist,  1880 
15th.  1880 
15th,  1 88 1 
15th,  1882 
15th, 


*4 

16 
18 
24 
25 


The  largest  number  ever  in  attendance  at  ONE  TIME,  182.  The  avef 
age  number  in  attendance  at  one  time  during  the  last  three  years,  170  t 
175- 

Numbbr  of  Teachers,  7.  Number  oe  pupils  to  a  teaCheJ 
about  25. 

FREE  TUITION  to  sons  of  gospel    ministers    and  to    candidates  for    tl 
ministry.     Special  terms  to  young  men  of  LIMITED  MEANS. 


[From  the  State  Chronicle  (Raleigh,  N.  C.,)  of  Sept.  zgtk,  /SSj.] 

Having  gas,    water    works   (including   a    steam-heated    bath    house), 

gymnasium,  and  other  improvements,   Bingham's  is  an  UNMATCHED  DF 

MONSTRATION  of  the  spirit  which  uses  all  good  things  that  are  new,   an 

yet  holds  to  all  that  is  best  in  the  past. 

Bingham  School  P.  O.,  Orange  Co. 


UNIVERSITY 


-OF- 


NORTH  CAROLINA 


Governor  T.J.  Jarvis,  ex-officio   President  of  the  Board    of  Trustees.. 

Hon.  W.  L.  Saunders,  Secre'ary  and  Treasurer. 

Faculty  and  other  Officers.— Kemp  P.  Battle,  LL.D.,  Pres:- 
ent,  Professor  of  Political  Economy,  Constitutional  and  International 
-aw;  Rev.  Charles  Philips,  D.D..  LL.D..  Professor  Emeritus  of  Mathe- 
matics; J.  DeBerniere  Hooper,  A.M..  Professor  of  Greek  and  French; 
Lev.  Adolphus  \Y.  Mangum,  A.M.,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Moral  Philoso-- 
History  and  English  Literature;  George  Tayloe  Winston,  Professor 
f  Latin  and  German;  Ralph  Henry  Graves,  B.  Sc,  C.  and  M.  E.,  Pro- 
ssor  of  Mathematics;  Frank  Preston  Yenable,  Ph.  D.  ( Goettingem, 
rofessor  of  General  Agricultural  and  Analytical  Chemistry;  Joseph 
ustin  Holmes.  B.  Agr.  (Cornells,  Professor  of  Geology  and  Natural  His- 
)ry;  Joshua  W.  Gore.  C.  &  M.  E..  Professor  of  Natural  Philosophy  and 
ngineering;  Albert  M.  Coble.  A.  B..  Instructor  in  Mathematics;  Thomas 
V.  Harris.  A.M.,  M.  D.,  Professor  of  Anatomy  and  Materia  Medica; 
Ion.  John  Manning,  A.  M..  Professor  of  Law;  W.  C.  Kerr,  A.  M.,  Ph. 
State  Geologist  and  Lecturer  on  the  Geology  of  North  Carolina:  E. 
,.  DeSchweinitz,  Assistant  in  Chemistry  and  Mineralogy;  E.  D.  Monroe, 

ibrarian,  Wiley  T.  Patterson.  Secretary  and  Bursar. 

The  session  begins  last  Thursday  in  August. 

About  ten  days  vacation  at  Christmas. 

Commencement  ist  Thursday  in  June. 

Board  from  S8.00  to  513.00  per  month. 

Tuition  including  room  rent  and  servants'  hire  S85  per  year.  Those 
ourses  leading  to  degrees,  viz:  Classical,  with  Latin  and  Greek  (A.  B.i, 
Philosophical  with  either  Latin  or  Greek  (Ph.  B).,  Scientific  with  no 
lassical  study  (B.  Sc.)  There  is  a  teachers'  course  of  two  years.  The 
lummer  Normal  School  begins  about  the  3d  week  in  June  and  continues- 
Ice   weeks. 

For  catalogue  apply  to  President  Battle,  Chapel  Hill,  N.  C. 


UNION  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY, 


FACULTY. 


The  Rev.  B.  M.  Smith,  D.D.,  LL.D., 

McCormick  Professor  of  Oriental  Literature. 

The  Rev.  Thos.  E.  Peck,  D.D.,  LL.D., 

Professor  of  Systematic  and  Pastoral  Theology, 

The  Rev.  J.  F.  Latimer,  Ph.  D.,  D.D., 

Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  and  Polity. 

The  Rev.  H.  C.  Alexander,  D.D., 

Henry  Young  Professor  of  Biblical  Literature  and  Interpretation    of  the 
New  Testament. 

The  Rev.  W.  W.  Moore, 

Adjunct  Professor  of  Oriental  Literature. 


ENDOWMENT. 

By  the  report  of  the  Treasurer  the  amount  of  invested  funds  of  the  cor- 
poration as  of  April  ist,  1884,  was  $252,595. 

NEW    PROFESSORSHIP. 
Rev.  S.  Taylor  Martin,  agent  for  the  Seminary,  is  now  in  the  field,  and 
meeting  with 'encouraging  success  in  raising  the   sum   of  $50,000   for   the 
endowment  of  the  5th  Professorship,  to  be  kown  as  the    Professorship  of 
English  Biblical  Studv  and  Pastoral  Theology. 


THE  LIBRARY. 

Now  consists  of  11,000  volumes,  of  unusual  value  considering  its  size,  as 
the  books  have  from  the  first  been  selected  with  great  care  for  the  special 
purposes  of  such  an  Institution.  A  handsome  and  commodious  building 
for  the  library  recently  erected  affords  unusually  excellent  advantages  to 
students,  to  whom  it  is  open  five  hours  daily  for  consultation  and  taking] 
out  and  returning  books. 


SCHOLARSHIPS. 
The  Seminary  possesses  the  control  of  funds  for  twenty-six  scholarships 
yielding  from  $60  to  $240  each  annually  for  aiding  indigent  students. 


ELOCUTION. 

The  Seminary  from  time  to  time  provides  the  best  professional  instruc 
tion  in  elocution  and  public  speaking. 

The  session  of  1884-5  opens  the  3d  of  September,  1884,  and    closes  istt 
Wednesday  of  May,  1885. 

Postoffice  address  of  Faculty  and  Students  is  Hamden  Sidney   College, 
Prince  Edward  County,    la. 


V 


O 


